On the edge of the pretty Yorkshire Wolds and overlooking the Humber Estuary, Brough is a small town noted for its excellent rail links and easy accessibility to the M62 motorway network. Brough has a number of shops and takeaways, the most convenient for rail travellers being the Station Supper Chinese takeaway and restaurant situated adjacent to the station.

Of the three pubs in the town it is the Ferry Inn, just 200m from the station, with a local claim to fame. Reportedly it is the only actual documented home of highwayman Dick Turpin and also the place where he was arrested.

The site of the town was known as Petuaria during Roman times, and was also the location of a fort built around AD70. During this period it was the northern Humber ferry terminal for the major Roman road running from London to York (Eboracum). Many road names in the town today bear witness to its ancient Roman origins.