Broadway is a well-known and much visited Cotswolds region village in the English county of Worcestershire. Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds" and the "Show Village of England" because of its archetypal rural beauty, the 'Broad Way' leads from the foot of the western Cotwolds escarpement along a wide grass-fringed street lined with ancient honey-coloured limestone buildings, many dating back to the 16th century. Broadway makes an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside, including the rest of the Cotswolds region, for which the village forms the northern gateway.
Despite Broadway's status as a major tourist destination, it is considered more up-market than the nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, and rarely seems excessively crowded. If you take a car, though, you will need to be either patient or selective about your car park on busy days, particularly summer weekends and bank holidays.
Broadway became a busy staging post on the route from Worcester to London as coaches had to harness extra horses for the long pull up nearby Fish Hill. As many as 40 travellers' inns once existed within the village to service those passing through, a few of which are still in use today.
Broadway has been home to a large number of prominent English artists and composers, including Sir Edward Elgar, John Singer Sargent, J.M. Barrie, Vaughan Williams and Arts and Crafts artist and writer William Morris.
Like many Cotswold villages, Broadway became prosperous from the wool trade, and much of its charm comes from its large number of luxurious old limestone houses.
- Broadway Tower. Built on an ancient beacon site atop Fish Hill, this was a favourite retreat of the Victorian designer William Morris. On a clear day, the view from the Tower encompasses as many as 13 counties. Public footpaths run around, and up to, the tower. Entry to the tower is around £4, includes a small William Morris exhibition and access to all levels including the roof. Unsurprisingly, wheelchair access is not practical due to spiral stairs. There is a ticket desk and small souvenir shop on the ground floor. There is also a cafe and car-park nearby. Car access via the A44 Fish Hill.
- Snowshill Manor and Garden, Snowshill, near Broadway, WR12 7JU (3 miles south of Broadway, +44 1386 852410.
Broadway Tower. Built on an ancient beacon site atop Fish Hill, this was a favourite retreat of the Victorian designer William Morris. On a clear day, the view from the Tower encompasses as many as 13 counties. Public footpaths run around, and up to, the tower. Entry to the tower is around £4, includes a small William Morris exhibition and access to all levels including the roof. Unsurprisingly, wheelchair access is not practical due to spiral stairs. There is a ticket desk and small souvenir shop on the ground floor. There is also a cafe and car-park nearby. Car access via the A44 Fish Hill.
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Snowshill, near Broadway, WR12 7JU (3 miles south of Broadway, +44 1386 852410.
- Cotswold Way. The long distance footpath makes for a lovely short walk or challenging hike. Check the weather before setting off on longer sections.
- Gordon Russell Heritage Centre, Russell Square, WR12 7AP, +44 1386 854695. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM. Display of furniture tracing the entire history of the Company, supported by photographs, graphics, Company records and related artefacts. The exhibition also features personal recollections of the people - craftsmen, designers, salesmen - who, inspired by Sir Gordon, contributed to the success and enduring reputation of the company.
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Broadway railway station.
Cotswold Way. The long distance footpath makes for a lovely short walk or challenging hike. Check the weather before setting off on longer sections.
Gordon Russell Heritage Centre, Russell Square, WR12 7AP, +44 1386 854695. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM. Display of furniture tracing the entire history of the Company, supported by photographs, graphics, Company records and related artefacts. The exhibition also features personal recollections of the people - craftsmen, designers, salesmen - who, inspired by Sir Gordon, contributed to the success and enduring reputation of the company.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Broadway railway station.
- Nearby Broadway Tower was a country retreat of Victorian designer William Morris, and many shops sell both practical and souvenir items with Morris' distinctive floral designs.
- There are a number of fine art dealers in the village, notably paintings and furniture. If you need to ask the price, you can't afford it.
Broadway is extremely well served for pubs, restaurants and cafes, far too numerous to mention them all.
- Lygon Arms, High St, WR12 7DU, +44 1386 852255. This impressive hotel is the centrepiece of the village. The Great Hall at the Lygon Arms forms a stylish dining hall for the hotel's restaurant. Chef Martin Blunos was awarded a Michelin star in January 2005. As well as the main restaurant, the hotel has a brasserie which provides a more affordable, but still excellent, menu.
- Broadway Hotel. Excellent restaurant with food comparable in quality to the Lygon Arms, with some great set-menu deals. Also lovely beer garden to the front, overlooking the village green.
- Swan Inn, 2 The Green, WR12 7AA. Refurbished pub with good bar meals.
- Russell's. A relaxed place with fair prices.
- Hayles Fruit Farm, GL54 5PB (Five miles south of Broadway, nr Winchcombe, +44 1242 602123. 9AM-5PM. An organic food shop and café with their own produce in season. Also offers a pick-your-own fruit service.
- Locally-made ice-cream is sold from the back of a tricycle, near the village green, during the peak summer season and on most weekends.
In general, the service in Broadway restaurants, despite often being quite posh, is also extremely friendly. Do not be put off by the formality of the exterior of any restaurant, nor the starchiness of their staff uniforms. Broadway is not London. So long as you remove any muddy footwear, you will be welcomed in all venues.
- Broadway Deli, 29 High Street, WR12 7DP, +44 1386 853040. M-Sa 8AM-5PM (cafe closes 4:30PM), Su 9AM-3PM (café closes 2:30PM). Fine food specialists - delicatessen with great food to take away or eat in the café.
Lygon Arms, High St, WR12 7DU, +44 1386 852255. This impressive hotel is the centrepiece of the village. The Great Hall at the Lygon Arms forms a stylish dining hall for the hotel's restaurant. Chef Martin Blunos was awarded a Michelin star in January 2005. As well as the main restaurant, the hotel has a brasserie which provides a more affordable, but still excellent, menu.
Broadway Hotel. Excellent restaurant with food comparable in quality to the Lygon Arms, with some great set-menu deals. Also lovely beer garden to the front, overlooking the village green.
Swan Inn, 2 The Green, WR12 7AA. Refurbished pub with good bar meals.
Russell's. A relaxed place with fair prices.
Hayles Fruit Farm, GL54 5PB (Five miles south of Broadway, nr Winchcombe, +44 1242 602123. 9AM-5PM. An organic food shop and café with their own produce in season. Also offers a pick-your-own fruit service.
Broadway Deli, 29 High Street, WR12 7DP, +44 1386 853040. M-Sa 8AM-5PM (cafe closes 4:30PM), Su 9AM-3PM (café closes 2:30PM). Fine food specialists - delicatessen with great food to take away or eat in the café.
- The Crown and Trumpet Inn, 14 Church St, WR12 7AE, +44 1386 853202. This local pub at the lower end of town provides typical English fare at affordable prices.
The Crown and Trumpet Inn, 14 Church St, WR12 7AE, +44 1386 853202. This local pub at the lower end of town provides typical English fare at affordable prices.
- Chipping Campden is another beautiful Cotswold village about six miles away, again with exclusive posh boutique shopping. By road it is easiest to drive up the A44 Fish Hill and then down the B4081 Conduit Hill. By bike, a flatter route is possible north through the B4632 Willersey and Weston-Sub-Edge and east along the B4035 Aston-Sub-Edge. A shorter pedestrian route is over the Cotswold Way long-distance footpath, but this can be very steep in sections and should not be attempted in cold or stormy weather.
- Winchcombe is about 8 miles (13 km) south on the B4632, another Cotswold village that also features a fortified manor house, Sudley Castle.