Julie Smith
24 September 2020
With a handsome high street, a pretty village green, and a selection of traditional country pubs and independent shops, Broadway is a perfectly formed English village that’s surrounded by the rolling hills of Worcestershire. Broadway is known as the gateway to the Cotswolds and is filled with the classic honey-hued buildings that this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is known for.
This is a quintessentially English village that makes an ideal base for exploring the northern half of the Cotswolds with a great selection of traditional cottages to stay in for either a romantic short break or a longer family holiday.
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⭐ Things to see and do
⭐ Broadway walks
⭐ Broadway pubs
⭐ Food and drinks
⭐ Broadway shops
⭐ Where to stay
Broadway things to see and do
From outdoor adventures to indoor attractions, there's a lot to see and do around Broadway. Children will love meeting the animals at All Things Wild, couples can spend time exploring the gorgeous gardens at Snowshill Manor and everyone (including dogs) can enjoy looking out over the Cotswolds from Broadway Tower.
Broadway Tower
Broadway Tower stands atop Beacon Hill in 50 acres of grounds that include walking routes and a deer park. This 18th-century folly is one of the Cotswolds’ most recognisable landmarks and features an exhibition where you can learn more about its history, plus a viewing platform at the top of the tower. On a clear day, you can see up to 16 counties making the view from here one of the finest you’ll find anywhere in the country.
Snowshill Manor and Garden
Image credit: Dave Porter
Snowshill Manor is a 16th-century house which was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1951 by eccentric owner Charles Wade and the stately home now houses his extraordinary collection of items. The true attraction of Snowshill Manor though is the wonderful Arts & Crafts garden which features a model village and a variety of courtyards with hidden surprises and spectacular views.
Cotswolds Lavender
The sweetly scented purple fields of Cotswolds Lavender are only open for a couple of summertime months each year when you can see the flowers in bloom, take a gentle stroll around the farm and enjoy a picnic. On days when the lavender is being distilled, you can watch the team at work and there’s a pop-up shop where you can stock up on the finished products which include lavender oils, hand creams and soothing bath soaks.
All Things Wild
This family-friendly Cotswolds attraction is located in the village of Honeywell near Broadway and features a zoo along with a dinosaur park and a variety of play areas. In the zoo section, children can see a range of wild and farmyard animals with special up-close encounters and ranger experiences available. All Thing Wild’s Dino Train will whisk youngsters around a field filled with replica dinosaurs and a Dino Barn features a prehistoric CGI aquarium. There’s also a giant sandpit filled with fossils to unearth and adventure playgrounds to keep even the most energetic children happy.
Broadway Activity Park
Just off Broadway High Street is the 3-acre Broadway Activity Park, a recreation ground which has four distinct sections that are suitable for different ages, from toddlers to young teenagers. There’s lots of space to run around, tables for picnics and everything from swings and slides to a zip wire and skate ride simulation.
Broadway Museum and Art Gallery
Image credit: Travellight
The Broadway Museum and Art Gallery is partnered with the Ashmolean in Oxford and housed in a 17th-century Grade II-listed former coaching inn. The traditional Cotswolds stone building has retained lots of original features and includes collections of fine furniture, paintings, porcelain and local artefacts.
Each year, there are three special exhibitions along with a permanent exhibition that showcases the history of Broadway, including the work of artists, composers and writers such as Elgar, J M Barrie, and Vaughan Williams who moved to Broadway in the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century.
Gloucester Warwickshire Railway
Image credit: PJ Photography
You can take a 28-mile round trip through the Cotswolds countryside on a restored steam or heritage diesel train with Gloucester Warwickshire Steam Railway. The line starts at Broadway Station which has been completely rebuilt by volunteers and features a tea room where you can call in for refreshments.
Stations on the line include Toddington and Winchcombe with the final stop at Cheltenham Racecourse before you make the return journey back to Broadway.
Broadway walks
The 102-mile Cotswolds Way runs almost the full length of the Cotswolds from Chipping Campden to Bath, passing through the village of Broadway. The Cotswolds Way walk from Broadway to Chipping Campden is 6 miles long and includes stunning views from Dover Hill. It’s up to you whether you catch the bus or enjoy a leisurely walk back to Broadway after refreshments in Chipping Campden.
In the other direction, you can follow a 6-mile route to Wood Stanley which climbs up to Shenberrow Hill and the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. The Cotswolds Way then descends to the unspoilt 17th-century village of Stanton where you can stop for refreshments at The Mount Inn before finishing up Stanway House and Fountain - a wonderful Jacobean manor house and water gardens which is well worth exploring before heading back to Broadway.
For a shorter taste of the Cotswolds Way, there’s a 4-mile circular route which will take you along Broadway High Street and through parkland tracks to Broadway Tower. After taking some time to enjoy the view from the second highest point in the Cotswolds, you can follow the Cotswolds Way back to the village.
Broadway pubs
Call in at one of these charming country pubs to watch the world go by and enjoy a pint or two in front of the fire.
The Swan
Image credit: BBA Photography
Located just off Broadway High Street, The Swan is a classic Cotswolds inn with chunky stone walls, oak beams and original fireplaces. An outside terrace is the perfect place to watch village life go past and the extensive food menu includes sandwiches, salads, pizzas and freshly battered fish and chips.
The Lygon Arms
Image credit: Carol Badkin
If you fancy an upmarket tipple, the cocktail bar at The Lygon Arms is the place for you. This is a Tudor coaching inn with a lot of history - Oliver Cromwell once stayed here and the inn acted as a staging post for mail coaches throughout the 17th and 18th century. Today, you can find a spot by the huge open fire and treat yourself to a glass of Champagne or a carefully crafted sparkling cocktail.
The Bell at Willersey
The 17th-century country pub is made of traditional Cotswolds stone and looks out over a pretty village green and duck pond in the peaceful village of Willersey near Broadway. Outside The Bell at Willersey is a lovely beer garden that’s ideal for the summer months and inside there is a relaxing lounge where you can enjoy cask ales and fine wines.
Snowshill Arms
This dog-friendly Donnington Brewery pub dates back to the 15th century and is located in the unspoilt village of Snowshill, surrounded by the Cotswolds hills. The Snowshill Arms has a large play area to keep little ones happy and is an ideal spot to call at for refreshments after visiting nearby Snowshill Manor.
Broadway food and drink
From artisan local producers to charming tea rooms and traditional fish and chips, there’s lots of tasty food and drink to enjoy on a short break to Broadway in the Cotswolds.
Russell’s Fish and Chips
This traditional fish and chip shop is located on Broadway High Street and serves beer-battered cod and chips that you can either take away to eat from the paper or enjoy in the casual dog-friendly cafe. Russell’s has been named one of The Times Top 100 places to eat and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike.
Broadway Deli
Image credit: Alena Veasey
You can pick up an array of fresh local produce at this independent delicatessen with everything from fruit and vegetables to cheeses and chutneys. Broadway Deli is a great place to call if you are planning a picnic and there’s also a lovely on-site cafe that’s a good choice for lunch or brunch.
Market Pantry
Enjoy a range of wholesome home-cooked food at the Market Pantry in Broadway with locally sourced ingredients used in their breakfast and lunchtime dishes. There’s also a daily selection of artisan breads and delicious cakes that go perfectly with your morning cuppa.
The Tea Set
They say everything stops for tea and we think one of the nicest ways to enjoy our national beverage is with a luxurious afternoon tea at The Tea Set. A selection of dainty treats are served on vintage bone china with finger sandwiches and a choice of tea options. If you want to push the boat out even further, you can add a glass of Champagne too.
Broadway Food Festival
Image: www.facebook.com/broadwayfoodfestival
The annual Broadway Food Festival takes place on the village green each September and is completely free to attend. The event showcases the wide selection of Cotswolds produce available with artisan food stalls, demonstrations from local chefs and lots of free samples to taste.
Broadway shops
Broadway isn’t just one of the Cotswolds' prettiest villages; it’s also filled with independent shops where you can pick up all sorts of lovely things. Here are just some of our favourite shops to call in to during a visit to the Cotswolds.
The Little Soap Company
This gorgeous Broadway shop makes and sells its own range of vegan soap. Many of the products are completely natural and organic, with ingredients such as lavender and rose used in its soap bars, shampoos and candles. You can even take a course at The Little Soap Company to learn how to make your own handmade cold-pressed soap.
Rikki Tikki
Image: www.instagram.com/rikkitikkibroadway
Rikki Tikki is a vibrant children’s store that’s located in Broadway’s old post office building. Kids will love browsing a wide assortment of toys, books and games, plus there is a great collection of quality clothing to keep your little ones comfortable and stylish.
Betty & Violet
Image: www.instagram.com/bettyandviolet
A celebration of all things vintage,
Betty & Violet is named after the owner’s grandmothers and is full of antique treasures, vintage textiles and unique handmade items. This is a lovely little Broadway shop that you’ll want to return to again and again.
Slate
Image: Carol Badkin
There are two Slate stores in Broadway, one specialising in ladies clothing and another that sells a range of footwear. The boutiques stock a collection of lesser-known brands with hand-picked items that range from casual wear to more formal items.
Where to stay in Broadway
If you have been inspired to plan a getaway to Broadway in the Cotswolds, there are lots of lovely holiday cottages where you can rest your head after days of exploring.
This pretty Broadway cottage makes a perfect romantic retreat, tucked away in a peaceful spot that’s just a short walk from the high street. Enjoy al fresco lunches in a walled courtyard garden and cosy nights in front of the wood burner when the weather turns chilly.
Sleeps: 2 guests + 2 dogs
This traditional two-bedroom Cotswolds cottage is just footsteps from the Cotswolds Way and comes with lots of characterful original features such as beamed ceilings, mullioned windows, a walled courtyard garden and a large inglenook fireplace.
Sleeps: 4 guests + 1 dog
Mellowstone is a Grade II-listed, rose-clad Cotswolds cottage dating back to the 17th century that features lots of exquisite period details such as exposed stone walls, low beamed ceilings and wooden panelling. French doors lead straight from the well-equipped kitchen/diner onto a walled courtyard garden and it’s just a short walk from Broadway Tower.
Sleeps: 6 people
This is just a small selection of the properties available in and around Broadway. Browse the full selection of romantic, family-friendly and dog-friendly properties and start planning your short break or holiday to the Cotswolds.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.