A castle has stirred mixed reactions from visitors.

Despite its long history dating back to 1073, Bramber Castle, near Steyning, has been criticised by some people on Tripadvisor, with one reviewer calling the historic location "a pile of rubble".

Although the castle is rated four out of five stars in total, and is often praised for its scenic location, a number of the reviews air a tone of disappointment that the castle is in fact a lone wall with small ruins dotted around the site rather than a complete castle.

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One reviewer, from London, said: "If you're in Bramber it's worth stopping off at the castle but it is certainly not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit.

"There's very little left of it except part of a wall of a tower, some outer walls and the moat."

Another reviewer, who left a three-star rating, described the castle as a "stone wall".

They wrote: "I think this is a bit 'over-egged'.

"It's some ruins in a field together with some information boards. Very nice to visit if you're in the area but not something to make a special trip to."

One of the harsher reviews left for the castle described it as "just a pile of rubble really".

The visitor wrote: "The site of a Norman Castle that has been used and developed over a few centuries then left to decline.

"Now is an open space with the remains of the curtain wall and the gatehouse tower. Some information notices around tell a brief history."

Despite the negative comments, a number of positive reviews also praise the castle and its surroundings.

A man from Uckfield reviewed the site on TripAdvisor and said: " Great views and the remaining walls give a real indication of its size and majesty; it really stirs the imagination."

One person who left a five-star review for the site said: "Albeit not much of the castle left, just some stone walls, but it is a fabulous place for a stroll.

"Kids can run free across the grass, and somewhere, here's a rope swing for them to muck around on. Great views over the River Adur and surrounding downs for those with less energetic ideals.

"For the more intrepid explorers, a journey round the moat can turn up the occasional brave rabbit, badger or fox. For a free day out, you can't really get better. It has something for everyone, and on a sunny day, a great place for a picnic."

In total, 50 reviewers rated the ruins excellent, with 67 people rating the site "very good".

42 people rated the castle "average" while six reviews called the site "poor".

Only one reviewer rated it "terrible".

According to English Heritage, Bramber Castle was founded by William de Braose as a "defensive and administrative centre" for the village after the Norman Conquest.

He and his descendants ruled the castle from its foundation until 1450.