Welcome to Brampton

The Village Sign at the north end of the High Street at Brampton, Huntingdonshire

Brantune (11th century); Brantone, Bramtone (12th century); Braunton, Brampton (13th century and today)

The parish of Brampton extends westwards from its boundary with the towns of Huntingdon and Godmanchester and takes in the loop formed by the River Great Ouse south of Huntingdon and is bounded to the north by Alconbury Brook. Nuns Bridge across this small river flowing from Hinchingbrooke Park, has been listed by English Heritage being of architectural interest and traffic to and from Huntingdon has been re-routed over a new bridge adjacent to it. There is an interesting 18th century stone obelisk at the roundabout in the centre of the village directing travellers to Thrapston and Buckden.

Brampton Park and the Manor House were both rebuilt at the beginning of the last century. The Black Bull Public House is over 300 years old. There are picturesque cottages in the parish, also an ancient watermill which is now a restaurant. Of particular celebrity is the 17th century Pepys House, originally owned by an uncle of Samuel Pepys and later by the famous diarist himself who makes numerous charming and quaint references to his visits to Brampton.

The parish church is a splendid building exhibiting successive architectural periods. In the late 13th century chancel is a beautiful modern floor copied from one in Ypres Cathedral. Three handsome medieval stalls have well carved misereres. The altar rails date from the 17th century. Above the aisles and the clerestory of the Perpendicular nave are fine contemporary timbered roofs resting upon stone corbels. The oaken chancel screen is 14th century, as is the font. Excellent modern screen work encloses the Sandwich chapel.

Exterior features of interest include the rather unusually built north porch and the fine western 'Gothic' tower which has stepped buttresses, pinnacles and battlements, and dates from 1635.

Brampton is one of the parishes of the District of Huntingdonshire, whose administrative centre is Huntingdon, the other principle towns being St Ives home of the Chapel on the Bridge, St Neots the largest town in the County of Cambridgeshire, the Roman town of Godmanchester and Ramsey site of the former Abbey.