Brading probably means 'The people living by the edge of the Downs' and dates from at least 683 .

Brading was originally the main port of the Island; the land has been reclaimed three times in the past 900 years, and the town now stands about 1 mile from the sea.  Behind the 12th Century (1180) church, St Mary the Virgin, overgrown remains of the old sea wall can still be seen.

Archaeological remains of burial mounds, weapons, tools, coins etc prove that the area has been inhabited from the stone age.  Nearly 2000 years ago Brading was where the Roman Governor of the Isle of Wight had his palace. The remains of this can still be seen, and are very well preserved.

Brading was the first part of the Island to be introduced to Christianity by St Wilfred at the end of the 7th century.

In 1086, William the Conqueror commissioned the Domesday Book, and Brading is recorded in this.

The old Town Hall, rebuilt in 1875, houses the town jail, stocks, and whipping post. A market was held here from 1285 finally ending sometime in the 19th century.

In 1280 King (Kynge) Edward 1st gives the town it's first charter, and Brading became known as Ye Kynge's Towne.

In 1549 King Edward 4th gave Brading "The Town Gun", or "Parish Gun". This was to be used to defend that part of the Island against attacks from the Spanish and French. It is 6ft in length, (2 metres), and set on a wooden base. This gun was last fired in 1832 to celebrate the Reform bill. Unfortunately the barrel split. About 1950 the gun was stolen, and subsequently purchased from a London auction. It was returned to Brading and is now kept at Nunwell. It is hoped to be soon to be able to place it in the Old Town Hall.

The oldest house in the town, dating from 1499/1502, is now a wax museum showing the history of the Isle off Wight from Roman times. When this building was a coaching inn, it had it's own murder, and the remains of a skeleton, believed to be that of the victim, can still be seen.

Outside the new town hall (1902) can be seen the bull baiting ring. It is possible to see the wear marks in the iron made by the bull straining against the tether. According to old diaries, the Governor of the island would donate 5 Guineas (£5.25p) to buy a Bull to be baited on Sunday after the church service. The meat was given to poor families. The town Mayor, and corporation, always attended wearing their full regalia. A dog, known as the Mayor's dog, would be set on the Bull. A free, gory, spectacle for the townsfolk.

Bull and Bear baiting was made illegal in 1825.

1881 the railway came to the town.

Brading has a small, but good, range of shops for everyday needs.

In 1989 the iron head of a 200 year old Pikestaff was found in the Animal Pound behind the church. It can now be seen in the Old Town Hall.

Text courtesy of: Isle of Wight Photo