This small stream has its rise in several fine springs in the parish of Hough-on-the-Hill, and pursues its humble course in a northern direction, westward of a range of high land."

The origin of the name is from the Old English brant (meaning "steep", "deep"), referring to a steeply sloping incline.

[4] The Brant rises on the flank of Summerfields Hill to the south-west of Gelston near Hough-on-the-Hill, and curves round such that it flows almost directly north, parallel to the Limestone Lincolnshire Edge.

The river flows past Brandon to which it gives its name, then reaches Stragglethorpe where it is joined by The Beck, which drains Fulbeck.

At Brant Broughton it meets with its largest tributary the Sand Beck, and then continues north passing the Low Fields of Navenby, Boothby Graffoe and Coleby where it flows to the west of the deserted medieval village of Skinnand and the remains of Somerton Castle.