Brilley

Brilley is a small village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England, close to the border with Wales, and about north-east of the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye.

Toponymy

Brilley derives from Brynlegh, Brunleg or Brunlege in Old English, meaning "burnt clearing".

History

Brilley is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. St Mary's chapelry was established in the 12th century. The site was rebuilt in the 13th century and later underwent restorations.
Population records for the parish of Brilley date back to the Poll Tax of 1379. Historians believe Fernhall Farm was founded around this time. Little Penlan and Cwmmau Farmhouse came about in the 16th and 17th centuries respectively. The various farms and houses of Brilley contain a mixture of medieval and early modern features.
In 1968, a new primary school was built next door to the village hall; the school was closed in 2007 because of low pupil numbers, and later demolished in 2014 to expand the carpark for the village hall.