Bungaroosh
Bungaroosh (also Bangaroush) is a composite building material made from lime, gravel, coarse sand, flints and sometimes brick fragments or other brick rubble. The spelling of the word has many variations, including bungeroosh, bungarouche, bungarooge, bunglarooge, bunglarouge and so on. As a wall construction material it pre-dates cement based concrete.
Walls made from bungaroush are almost exclusively found in the English seaside towns of Brighton (particularly in the Kempton neighbourhood) and Hove, where it was a popular product during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many Regency homes in Brighton and Hove that do not have brick walls feature bungaroush masonry. It may have been popular during this time due to the availability of discarded bricks and the affordability of flint from the South Downs around Brighton.
It was considered quick, easy, strong and cheap, and was most commonly used for garden walls or rear walls - normally protected with external stucco or plaster to prevent erosion. A galetted finish made from residual flakes of stone can also be used to fill spaces and help prevent erosion.
There is an expression, 'much of Brighton could be demolished with a well-aimed hose' which is associated with the city's reliance on this method of construction which is highly susceptible to water-based erosion.
Bangaroush (or bungeroush) is 'a building material used up to c1890, especially in coastal areas of East Sussex. Employed for whole walls constructed with shuttering or as an infilling between two skins of flint or brick. Typically lime, sand and pea beach shingle were used to form a mortar to which flints and any other materials to hand were added, eg pieces of brick, pipe or wood.'
As defined by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) defines from their online Glossary.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.