Broadway is a beautiful village in Worcestershire, often referred to as “the Jewel of the Cotswolds” and makes a great place to stop for a day out. The village centres around its tree-lined High Street, which is filled with various shops, pubs, and cafes. You can also walk from the village up to Broadway Tower, a magnificent “mini-castle” on the Cotswold Escarpment which offers a bit of history and some unbeatable views! Read on for more information on how to get the most from your time here!
Getting There:
Broadway is accessible via public transport from several neighbouring towns and villages. Most notably, if you are coming in via train from Paddington or Oxford, you can get off at Moreton in Marsh and catch the bus to Broadway, which runs regularly and is only about a half-hour journey.
If you are driving in, there are 2 main car parks. A short stay just behind the High Street on Church Close offers 150 parking spaces with a time limit of 4 hours – perfect if you want to pop in to have some brunch and do a bit of shopping!
There is also a large long stay just off of Broadway Road which allows up to 10 hours parking. It is only a short walk into town from here (just under 10 minutes) and is very convenient if you plan in to take in a bit more of the town or want to include the walk up to Broadway Tower during your visit.
Both car parks offer public toilets. And you can pay at either car park via app or card.
Places to Eat and Drink:
You will find plenty of choice for food and drink while visiting Broadway.
The Broadway Hotel and The Swan are both pubs at the west end of the High Street. Both have indoor and outdoor seating with views of the green and of the High Street. They have good sized menus with plenty of choice, including gluten-free and vegan dishes and both are well-rated.
There are many cafes to choose from in Broadway, but we would recommend the Broadway Deli. It may not seem an obvious choice for a cafe, but the food is excellent and there are good gluten free and vegan choices here too. We prefer to dine outside where possible, and again in addition to indoor seating, the deli offers seating in their beautiful and spacious back garden when the British weather allows!
If you’re in the mood for coffee or tea and a cake or light bite, there are a few options in Broadway. We like the Leaf and Bean. It is a tiny cafe just outside Cotswold Court. They offer a good selection of luscious cakes, and a small menu with some really tasty paninis and toasties. Mainly, they offer really good coffee and a massive selection of teas – herbal or otherwise.
There are many other restaurants to choose from as well in Broadway, from fish and chips to fine dining, a place specialising in burgers, and an Indian restaurant as well. You’ll feel spoilt for choice in such a small place!
Sightseeing and Shopping:
There is plenty to look at in Broadway! Make sure to spend some time taking in the gorgeous honey-coloured Cotswold stone that makes up the buildings in this historic village. Although you won’t see many thatched roofs here, you will see some magnificent Grade I and II listed buildings, homes, and manors as well as quaint shopfronts.
Have a poke around the many shops as well! You will find many unique and specialist shops here as well as boutiques, fine art galleries, and many places to look when you are shopping for the perfect gift for someone! Have a look around, and you will see what I mean.
If art, history, and/or design are of interest, you could check out the Gordon Russell Design Museum or the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery. Both are open daily.
If you have children in your group, there is also a great little adventure playground area just behind the museum. Or if you just fancy a bit of fun yourself, have a go – we did!
Walking to Broadway Tower:
Although there are options for circular walks to get you to the tower and back, the quickest way is to take the Cotswold Way there and back again. Towards the east end of the village, you will find a sign pointing you onto the Cotswold Way. The Cotswold Way is an epic footpath which starts in Chipping Campden and ends 102 miles away in Bath, passing though many beautiful towns and villages along the way.
The section leading from Broadway up to the tower is about 1.25 miles and takes about 40 minutes each way. It is a beautiful walk through trees and fields, following a well-worn grassy path. There are also frequent Cotswold Way trail markers along the way to help you ensure you are going in the right direction. Although on our way we saw several people in not-so practical shoes and many carrying a coffee up with them, I would recommend trainers if not boots as the path can get muddy in places. And never fear… part of your reward for climbing up Beacon Hill to the tower is the Espresso Bar (serving cakes and various coffees and teas – yes!) or the Morris and Brown cafe just a bit past the tower.
Once at the top of the hill, take in the magnificent views that you have earned! Have a coffee and some cake! Take a little walk around and stop to watch the herd of red deer that inhabit the grounds. Lastly, take in the beauty of the tower itself. It is a beautiful piece of architecture, originally built for the Earl of Coventry as a token of his love for his second wife and soul-mate Lady Barbara. Not too shabby. The tower itself is open to the public, for a fee which may seem a bit steep for a short trip up to the top… but I promise you on a clear day you will not be disappointed by the view! From there you can see a total of 16 counties and can view up to a 62 mile radius. It really is breath-taking!
After taking it all in, simply head back the way you came up and you will find yourself back in Broadway.
Of course, if walking up to the Tower is not for you, you can also drive! It is a short drive from Broadway (10 minutes or less!) and there is ample parking at the Tower.
Nearby:
If you find yourself with time to spare, check out the nearby historic market town of Chipping Campden. It is about a 20 minute drive from Broadway or just under 10 minutes from the Tower. Check out our video from Chipping Campden here.
Have you spent some time in Broadway lately? Let me know your favourite bits!
Our recent visit to Broadway and the Tower.