The village is on the site of the Roman fort of Verterae, on the northern leg of the Roman-era Watling Street, linking Luguvalium with Eboracum and points south. The area of the rectangular fort, which once occupied the land to the south of the Swindale Beck, is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Brough Castle was built in the 11th century within the northern part of the former fort. Like many other castles in the area, Brough was restored in the 17th century by Lady Anne Clifford. The Castle is now in the care of English Heritage and its ruins can be visited. Brough has historically been divided into Market Brough, to the north, and Church Brough, to the south and centred on the castle and St Michael's Church. In 1977 this division was made physical by the construction of the Brough bypass dual carriageway, taking the A66 away from the villagemain street. Up to some time before 1777, opposite the market cross going up towards Stainmore, there was a holy well dedicated to Saint Winifred, which before the Reformation was a place of pilgrimage. Nearby is Augill Castle, built in 1841 by John Bagot Pearson from Kirkby Lonsdale as a weekend retreat, a grade II listed building and now a hotel.
Traditionally, on Twelfth Night, a burning holly tree would be carried through the village, followed by a brass band. When the flames had partially gone out, the villagers would try to bring the tree to a pub, where the party would continue until the early hours of the morning. The village was also the venue for a popular fair on the second Thursday of March.
St Michael's Church is a large building with an impressive tower. The oldest parts date from the Norman period, and may have suffered during William I of Scotland's attack on the castle in 1174. The church was enlarged in the 14th century, to add the north aisle, and in the early 16th century when most of the existing structure was built. The tower was constructed by Thomas Blenkinsop of Helbeck in 1513. There is a large war memorial within the nave. There are four bells. Repairs and improvements continue to this day.
image:Hollytree brough.JPG|Parading the holly tree image:Augill Castle, Brough, Cumbria.jpg|Augill Castle image:Brough under stainmore st michael.jpg| St Michael's Church. image:St Michael's Church interior Brough cumbria..jpg|Interior of St Michael's church image:Church Brough - geograph.org.uk - 17752.jpg| Church Brough - The Green image:Brough, Cumbria, The Coronation clock tower - geograph.org.uk - 247717.jpg|The Coronation clock tower
Governance
An electoral ward in the name of Brough exists. This ward stretches from Musgrave to Stainmore with a total population of 1,317.
