A Timeless English Village
Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Broadway is the kind of place where time
seems to slow down, possibly out of sheer admiration for its own beauty. The
high street is a symphony of honey-coloured stone, populated by boutique
shops, cozy tearooms, and that rarest of things: genuinely lovely pubs where
you can sit outside, sip a pint, and watch a parade of cheerful dogs trot by. But
Broadway is more than just a pretty face—it’s a gateway to some truly
wonderful and occasionally eccentric experiences. Here are 15 reasons why it’s
well worth a visit.
seems to slow down, possibly out of sheer admiration for its own beauty. The
high street is a symphony of honey-coloured stone, populated by boutique
shops, cozy tearooms, and that rarest of things: genuinely lovely pubs where
you can sit outside, sip a pint, and watch a parade of cheerful dogs trot by. But
Broadway is more than just a pretty face—it’s a gateway to some truly
wonderful and occasionally eccentric experiences. Here are 15 reasons why it’s
well worth a visit.
1. The Cotswold Way
If you’ve ever fancied walking through a landscape that looks like it was painted
by an 18th-century romantic with an enthusiasm for sheep, the Cotswold Way is
for you. A gentle stroll or a vigorous hike will reward you with lush green hills,
picture-perfect villages, and a deep sense of self-satisfaction.
If you’ve ever fancied walking through a landscape that looks like it was painted
by an 18th-century romantic with an enthusiasm for sheep, the Cotswold Way is
for you. A gentle stroll or a vigorous hike will reward you with lush green hills,
picture-perfect villages, and a deep sense of self-satisfaction.
2. Broadway Tower
An excellent example of a building constructed for no real reason, Broadway
Tower sits atop a hill looking dramatically down upon the world. The views are
stunning—on a clear day, you can see across 16 counties. The tower has been a
folly, an artist’s retreat, and briefly a nuclear bunker, because apparently, even
the apocalypse deserves a good view.
3. Cotswolds Distillery
If you like your travel experiences accompanied by a warming glow, a visit to
the Cotswolds Distillery is a must. They make exceptional gin and whisky, and,
being generous sorts, they will happily let you taste them. The tour is
fascinating, though by the end of it, you may find your note-taking abilities
slightly impaired.
4. Longborough Opera
Yes, there is an opera house in the middle of the Cotswolds. And yes, it is
spectacular. Set in a rural idyll, Longborough Festival Opera punches well
above its weight, offering world-class performances in a setting that feels more
like an intimate garden party than a grandiose theatre experience. Opera
enthusiasts will be in their element, and even opera sceptics might find
themselves pleasantly surprised.
5. Clay Pigeon Shooting
If you’ve ever watched period dramas and thought, “I could do that,” now’s your
chance to find out. With expert tuition, you’ll soon be blasting clay pigeons out
of the sky, or at the very least, looking the part while failing magnificently.
Either way, it’s an exhilarating experience with the added bonus of feeling
terribly British.
6. Cotswold Lavender
There is something oddly intoxicating about wandering through endless rows of
lavender fields. The scent alone is enough to make you feel calmer, and the
sight of an entire landscape turning a rich shade of purple is quite surreal. If
you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to star in a particularly fragrant
dream sequence, this is the place for you.
sight of an entire landscape turning a rich shade of purple is quite surreal. If
you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to star in a particularly fragrant
dream sequence, this is the place for you.
7. Cotswold Vineyards
English wine is no longer an oxymoron, and the vineyards of the Cotswolds are
proving it in fine style. Visit one and you’ll be treated to a tour, a tasting, and a
lot of enthusiastic chat about grapes, terroir, and climate. Best of all, you get to
drink wine while nodding sagely as though you know what ‘terroir’ means.
8. Stanway House
Stanway House is a magnificent Jacobean manor, but what truly sets it apart is
the world’s tallest gravity-fed fountain, which shoots water 300 feet into the
sky. The first time you see it, you will likely utter something like, “Good Lord!”
before staring in childlike wonder. It is, quite simply, marvellously excessive.
9. Sudeley Castle
A castle with everything you could wish for: romance, intrigue, and a queen
buried in its chapel. Sudeley Castle was once home to Katherine Parr, Henry
VIII’s final wife, and it exudes Tudor drama. Wander its glorious gardens,
explore its medieval ruins, and be quietly grateful that you weren’t one of
Henry’s other wives.
10. Hidcote and Kiftsgate
These two neighbouring gardens offer a crash course in horticultural genius.
Hidcote is an enchanting maze of themed garden ‘rooms’, while Kiftsgate is
wildly romantic, cascading down a steep hillside. If you’ve ever wanted to feel
simultaneously inspired and wholly inadequate about your own garden, this is
the place to be.
11. Sezincote
A grand, Mughal-style palace in the English countryside? Absolutely. Sezincote
is an architectural anomaly, all domes and minarets, set against rolling green
hills. It’s equal parts surreal and spectacular, the kind of place where you half
expect to bump into a lost Maharajah.
12. Stratford-upon-Avon
A short drive from Broadway, this is Shakespeare country, and the town leans
into it with gusto. You can visit the Bard’s birthplace, see world-class theatre,
and even enjoy a pint in one of his old haunts. Whether or not you’re a
Shakespeare aficionado, there’s a peculiar thrill in walking streets that once
bore the weight of literary greatness.
13. Gordon Russell Design Museum
An unexpectedly fascinating museum dedicated to furniture design, this place
celebrates the craftsmanship of Gordon Russell, whose work helped shape 20th-
century British design. If you appreciate beautiful, well-made things—or simply
enjoy a good browse—it’s well worth a visit.
14. Cotswold Falconry Centre
Few things are as thrilling as watching a bird of prey swoop dramatically from
the sky. At the Cotswold Falconry Centre, you can watch these magnificent
creatures in action, learn about their conservation, and even hold a hawk on
your arm. It’s impossible not to feel a little bit like a medieval noble.
15. Honeybourne Pottery
Unleash your inner artisan with a pottery session at Honeybourne Pottery.
There is something deeply satisfying about throwing clay on a wheel and
watching it take shape (or, more likely, collapse spectacularly). Either way,
you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for pottery—and possibly a wobbly bowl
to prove it.
Discover the Magic of Broadway
Broadway is one of those places where you arrive planning to stay for a couple
of hours and somehow find yourself still there at sunset, pint in hand,
wondering if you could possibly just move in. Whether you’re exploring grand
estates, indulging in fine food and drink, or simply soaking in the glorious
scenery, Broadway and its surroundings are irresistibly charming. And quite
frankly, you owe it to yourself to visit.
of hours and somehow find yourself still there at sunset, pint in hand,
wondering if you could possibly just move in. Whether you’re exploring grand
estates, indulging in fine food and drink, or simply soaking in the glorious
scenery, Broadway and its surroundings are irresistibly charming. And quite
frankly, you owe it to yourself to visit.