The ruins of Bramber Castle

Once a key stronghold after the Norman Conquest, used to command the Adur Valley and the river traffic up the river to Steyning, Bramber Castle was confiscated by King John and fell into disrepair as early as the late middle ages, being given a good beating in the Civil War to finish it off.

Today it's a great place for a picnic - quiet, atmospheric, easy to get to and with good car parking. And it's free.

While you walk up towards the castle you might notice the sign by the adjoining church which was also built by the Normans. It points out that the church is the only part of the orignal castle complex which is still in use - a rare triumph of peacemakers over warmongers.

PLACES TO STAY NEAR BRAMBER

Nash Manor B&B
Fringe Cottage B&B
Springwells Hotel

WEST SUSSEX TOWNS

Arundel
Bognor Regis
Burgess Hill
Chichester
Crawley
East Grinstead
Haywards Heath
Horsham
Littlehampton
Midhurst
Petworth
Shoreham-by-Sea
Steyning
Worthing