Brading is a historic village located on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight. Despite its size, there are several things to do in and around Brading that will easily fill a few hours.
Here are a few of our favourite suggestions, there is plenty of parking and you are spoilt for choice with places to eat, plus there are footpaths running in every direction from the town (please be careful the village has a very busy road running through with very narrow paths).
Brading is a small, historic village, with it’s history dating back to Roman times. The river Yar actually used to run right up to Brading and if you venture up to culver down you can see Brading Marshes stretching off into the distance where the river still meanders. Located on the Islands main railway line and just North of the popular seaside towns of Sandown and Shanklin, it can be easy to drive or get the bus right through the town, but it is really worth stopping to have an explore.
Here are some of the things we love to do in Brading! We are sorry if we have missed your favourites off the list, there is so much to choose from. (Once you arrive in Brading these are all accessiable by foot and within the small town), and the high street is well worth walking down and exploring.
Brading Roman Villa:
This is a well-preserved Roman villa that was discovered in the 19th century. Visitors can explore the remains of the villa and learn about life in Roman Britain. It really is worth a visit just to see the extend of the villa and read about how the villa was found under the soil and hidden for hundreds of years.
The nearest bus stop for Brading Roman Villa is located in the village of Brading, just a short walk from the villa. The bus stop is called Brading Bull-ring (Yes it is actually a very large iron ring in the ground), and it is served by several bus routes operated by Southern Vectis.
The following bus routes serve the Brading Bull-ring bus stop:
- Route 2: runs between Newport and Ryde, stopping at Brading, Sandown, and other towns along the way
- Route 3: runs between Newport and Shanklin, stopping at Brading, Sandown, and other towns along the way
- Route 8: runs between Ryde and Sandown, stopping at Brading and other towns along the way
- Route 37: runs between Newport and Ventnor, stopping at Brading, Shanklin, and other towns along the way
From the bus stop, visitors can walk along West Street and then Morton Old Road to reach the entrance of Brading Roman Villa. The walk takes about 10-15 minutes along a small lane.
Nunwell House and Gardens:
This historic house is set in beautiful gardens and offers guided tours of the house and grounds. You can walk easily from the town centre if you have a pushchair or small children the last 100 yds is on the road. The address of Nunwell House is Nunwell Lane, Brading, Isle of Wight, PO36 0JQ, United Kingdom.
The house is a historic private residence and is only open to the public on select days during the summer months. And, typically, is open to visitors from late May to early September, with opening times varying from year to year. During these months, guided tours of the house and gardens are offered, allowing visitors to learn about the history and architecture of the house, as well as the family that has lived there for generations. It is recommended to check the official Nunwell House website or contact them directly for up-to-date information on opening times and tour schedules before planning a visit. If Nunwell House is closed or you are visiting out of season just walking up to the entrance will provide you with great view of the surrounding countryside.
If going by bus, the stop is called Brading Railway Station, and it is served by several bus routes. You can also readch Brading station directly from Ryde station, making Brading a nice additon to a day out by train on the island.
The following bus routes serve the Brading Railway Station bus stop:
- Route 2: runs between Newport and Ryde, stopping at Brading, Sandown, and other towns along the way
- Route 3: runs between Newport and Shanklin, stopping at Brading, Sandown, and other towns along the way
- Route 8: runs between Ryde and Sandown, stopping at Brading and other towns along the way
- Route 37: runs between Newport and Ventnor, stopping at Brading, Shanklin, and other towns along the way
From the bus stop, visitors can walk along the High Street to reach Nunwell House.
St. Mary’s Church:
This historic church dates back to the 12th century and features a wonderful Norman doorway. You can’t miss it sitting in an elevated position to the north of the village. The 13th-century tower is of a very unusual style in that it is built on four piers at the entrance to the church. There is also a family Chapel for the past owners in residence at Nunwell House, the Oglander family.
Alverstone Vineyard:
This is a small family-owned vineyard located under 5 minutes drive from Brading, you can also walk from the town and would take around 20mins.
The vineyard was first planted in 2001, making it one of the first vineyards on the Isle of Wight. Growing a variety of grapes the vineyard produces a range of award-winning wines, including sparkling wines, white wines, and rosé wines. (And more recently makes a unique blue sparkling wine).
Visitors to Alverstone Vineyard can take guided tours of the vineyard and winery, as well as enjoy tastings of the wines. The vineyard also hosts regular events, such as wine and food pairing evenings and summer music concerts.
To get to Alverstone Vineyard by car, you can use the following postcode for your GPS device: PO36 0NZ. The vineyard is located on the eastern side of the island, between Brading and the village of Newchurch. From the A3056 road, turn onto Alverstone Road and follow the signs to the vineyard.
To get to Alverstone Vineyard by bus, you can take the Route 8 bus operated by Southern Vectis. The nearest bus stop to the vineyard is the Newchurch Post Office stop, which is located on the A3056 road just a short walk from the vineyard. The Route 8 bus runs between Ryde and Sandown, stopping at various towns and villages along the way.
Brading Marshes:
LINK Brading Marshes was the RSPB’s first nature reserve on the Isle of Wight. Stretching from Brading all the way out to the sea at Bembridge Harbour. Step straight off the train at Brading station or walk down towards the station and you will hopefully see a wide array of wildlife, ranging from buzzards, green woodpeckers and marsh harriers to butterflies, and red squirrels.
Believe it or not, you really can spend a good amount of time in Brading, and we have not included everything there is to see in this lovley village.
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