broadway tourist information uk

Broadway the northern gateway to the beautiful North Cotswolds

"Broadway and much of the land about it are in short the perfection of the old English rural tradition" - Henry James

The Cotswolds village of Broadway in the English county of Worcestershire is often referred to as the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds' and the 'Show Village of England' because of it's sheer beauty and magnificence. The 'broad way' leads from the foot of the western Cotswolds escarpment with a wide grass-fringed street lined with ancient honey coloured limestone buildings dating back to the 16th century and earlier (the oldest house is Abbots Grange built in 1320 as the summer retreat for the Abbots of Pershore).

Broadway in the Cotswolds not to be confused with the oldest north-south main Broadway thoroughfare in New York City 15 miles long through Manhattan and The Bronx. There are, however, American connections with the colony of artists that settled in this village.

Many well known characters have spent time in Broadway drawing inspiration from its beauty and location including Oscar Wilde, Claude Monet, Edwin Abbey, John Singer-Sargent, William Morris and Edward Elgar .

The full extent of Broadway's majesty is its wide street lined with a delightful mix of Tudor, Stuart and Georgian buildings. The village has one of the longest High Streets in England.

The village's "broad way" (actually called High Street) lined with red chestnut trees, reflects the varied architectural history from grand Georgian buildings to ones of humbler though quaint beginnings that even reaches back, in places, to the Romans.

'furnished apartments are useful to the artist, but a furnished country is even more so... This is the great recommendation of Broadway: everything in it is convertible . . There is portraiture in the air and composition in the very accidents. Everything is a subject or an effect....It is delicious to be at Broadway and not have to draw.' - Henry James, one of the Broadway Group of Artists

In the 17th century Broadway village became a busy staging post on the route from Worcester to London as coaches had to harness extra horses for the long pull up Fish Hill. As many as 33 inns existed within the village to service the many travellers passing through - three exist today.

Broadway has it all from several art galleries, gift and clothes shops to three inns, Italian restaurant, half-dozen tea shops, two hotels including the famous Lygon Arms, two brasseries and a wonderful Fish and Chip restaurant and take-away. Retail therapy combined with good food & drink and chilling-out makes Broadway a very popular place in the Cotswolds to stay and visit throughout the year.

The Famous Broadway Colony of Artists

The village was the inspiration to a number of writers and artists (see Broadway Group ) including Henry James, J.M.Barrie ,Vaughan Williams, Elgar , John Singer Sargent , and William Morris of the Arts and Crafts movement. By the 1880's a small band of American artists headed by Francis Davis Millet discovered Broadway as a 'quaint reflection of a long ago country village'. Mary Anderson the American actress also lived in Broadway at Court Farm on the upper part of the High Street.

Henry James (1843-1916, an expatriate American writer who settled in England and eventually became a British citizen) said: " Broadway and much of the land about it are in short the perfection of the old English rural tradition ."

Abbots Grange house (pretty much abandoned and deteriorating when Millet arrived) dating to the 14th century, is the oldest domestic building in the village and one of the oldest in the country. There are Tudor Houses dating from 1660's and along with parts of the Lygon Arms Hotel and St. Eadburgha's (grand daughter of King Alfred the Great ) Church which has been a place of worship for almost 1000 years. The old church is one mile out on Snowshill Road.

Russell House would be the centre of attention and animation of the Broadway Group of Artists . This was actually the second home of the colony. They moved here in 1886 after having lived for a year at Farnham House (overlooking the village green). Russell House was quite a bit larger than Farnham House and both Abbey and John Singer Sargent partnered with the Millets for a seven year lease.

Francis Millet died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic on 15th April 1912 and in tribute friends paid for a Lychgate at the entrance to the upper graveyard at St. Eadburgha's Church on Snowshill Road. The inscription is in Latin and translated reads:-

For more information about - Francis Millet Also read - The Titanic connection - SHADOWS ON A SUMMERS DAY

Broadway Arts Festival

Activities in and around Broadway

Click link for - Map showing all attractions in and around Broadway

Broadway Tower (1.5 miles South East of Broadway)

Visit Broadway Tower at 1024 feet above sea level this is the second highest point in the Cotswolds. From the top of the tower is one of England's finest viewpoints with 14 English counties to be seen on a clear day. The park affords picnics and a good restaurant.

There is a nice cross-country walk up the Cotswold escarpment from the village to the tower see Broadway Walking below.

Gordon Russell Museum

There is now a Museum, located in the original grade II listed workshop, celebrating the work of the renowned 20th century designer and manufacturer.

Broadway Museum and Art Gallery

You will find displays of furniture, objects, paintings and textiles from the Ashmolean’s reserve collections, as well as works from the private collection of the Keil family, will go on display in six rooms of the beautiful Tudor House. There will also be a gallery space dedicated to rotating exhibitions of works by local artists.

For further information see - Broadway Museum and Art Gallery .

Visiting Famous Gardens

There are several famous gardens within 15 minutes car journey of Broadway including Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Bourton House, Sezincote, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court and Batsford Arboretum. See - North Cotswold Gardens Map and Driving Directions .

Touring by Car

Broadway is centrally situated for visiting such Tourist Attractions as Warwick Castle , Stratford-upon-Avon , Snowshill Manor, Chastleton House, Worcester Cathedral, and the ancient villages and market towns including Chipping Campden , Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Snowshill, Stanton and Winchcombe.

Romantic Road - See - Romantic Road Route from Broadway

The area is a country walkers paradise and only a few minutes away from the Cotswolds Way Trail .

• Walk to the ancient market town of Chipping Campden on the first leg of the Cotswolds Way Trail - 2 hours.
• Walk up the Cotswold escarpment to Broadway Tower where you will see fantastic views towards the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains of Wales - 45 mins.
• Flat walk from Broadway to the old church of St. Eadburgha's - 35 mins.
• Walk through Bluebell woods to the quaint village of Buckland and even include a 'posh' afternoon tea at the Buckland Manor Hotel.

Routes of all these local walks and more can be found from the small yellow book 'Country Walks around Broadway' available from the newsagents shop on the village high street.

Horse Riding

At the village of Stanton (7 minutes away by car).

Broadway is situated on the edge of the Vale of Evesham and at the bottom of the Cotswold escarpment which is ideal for flat easy cycling . Explore the country lanes and visit villages such as Buckland, Laverton, Stanton, Stanway, Willersey, and Weston Subedge.

You could of course in preference attempt 'Fish Hill' - one of the steepest and longest hills in England leading up the escarpment.

Promenading

Enjoying the slower pace of life and indulging in the English passion for tea and cream cakes in the several tea shops whilst soaking up the ambience of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Broadway has one of the longest village High Streets in the UK and takes in the lower high street with shops, restaurants and tea shops and the upper high street with the beautiful mixture of ancient small cottages and rather larger grand houses. A favourite promenade is to walk the extent of the street taking in the natural beauty of the architecture combined with glorious gardens.

Broadway Bowling Club

Broadway has one of the best bowling greens in Worcestershire. Visitors and New Members are welcome. For more information see - W: www.broadwaybowlingclub.co.uk

North Cotswolds Hunt

Broadway is the home of the North Cotswolds Hunt. See video of the traditional Boxing Day Meet that attracts many visitors to the village - normally sets off down the High Street around 11.00am.

Activity Park for all ages

The park offers state-of-the-art facilities for children and adults of all ages, connected by soft-edged pathways with trees, shrubs and rocks.

Visitors to the activity park can expect to find facilities including:

• Large stone climbing wall
• Multi-use games area
• All weather surface for football, basketball and netball
• Grass pitch for football and rounders
• A Space net
• A picnic area
• Seating and shelter

The activity park is located towards the top of the main high street set behind high street shops and houses.

Willersey is a neighbouring pretty village only one mile away and has a C of E Primary school .

Places to see a few miles around Broadway

Further interest.

Pictures of the heavy snowfall in the village of Broadway on Thursday 5 February 2009

Blogs of an American living in Broadway

Read the World War II stories of a young boy living in Broadway

18th Century Pictures of Broadway - Little has changed

These two paintings of Broadway about 150 years ago illustrate the timeless quality of Cotswold villages - the village still looks the same now!

Visiting Coaches & Car Parking

Coach Drop off Points Lifford Hall & The Horse and Hound Public House

Coach Parking Milestone Ground Coach Park

Location Map of Parking

Important Medical

Doctors at Barn Close Surgery, High street. W: www.barnclose.co.uk

Broadway Taxis and Private Car Hire

CJP Cotswold Tours and Private Hire Contact - Chris Peake, e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1386  859444, Mobile: +44 (0)7787 193334; Website: www.cotswold-tours.com.

Broadway Tourist Information Guide Cotswolds England UK

Please Note: We do not supply Cotswold Holiday brochures - contact the local Visitor Information Centre near to where you want to stay - Click Here for Brochure contact details

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• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By coach
• 2.3 By thumb
• 2.4 By train
• 3 Get around

Broadway is a well-known and much-visited Cotswolds 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 Cotswolds escarpment 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 upmarket 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 lot 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 visitor information

Private chartered coach trips are run by a lot of companies from most major cities, including London , Birmingham , and other nearby tourist hotspots such as Stratford-upon-Avon . You are likely to find yourself sharing the coach with either the elderly or Japanese tourists.

There are several well-signposted car parks around the village. On busy days (notably bank holidays and summer weekends) the one where you are most likely to find a space, the largest car park, is on Leamington Road, near the village library. This has a somewhat unusual entrance; you drive under a bridge formed by two adjoining apartment buildings. The nearest postcode (for SatNav) is WR12 7DZ.

You can hitchhike from the B4632 or A44 roads. Locals are very friendly, if a bit posh, and generally will give lifts to stranded people.

The nearest mainline railway stations are Evesham and Honeybourne, both on the Cotswold line with direct services to Worcester , Oxford and London Paddington at least every two hours from approximately 6AM until 10PM.

Take the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway. This private steam railway does not connect to the mainline railway network, but you can use the Stagecoach Racecourse Park and Ride bus D to get between Cheltenham Racecourse and Cheltenham Spa railway station. The steam railway and Park and Ride services are at opposite ends of this very large racecourse, so allow 20 minutes to walk between the two.

Broadway is a relatively compact village, flat and easy to walk around. None of the car parks are more than a ten-minute walk into the centre, and the buses stop right along High Street.

The main shops, hotels, pubs and cafes are mostly easily found off the High Street, around the village green and war memorial. However, when walking from there, along the High Street, it is a common mistake to think that the shops end at The Horse & Hound pub. It is well worth walking five minutes further north along High Street to find a few more quaint little shops around the Leamington Road junction.

• Blossom Trail . The Vale of Evesham, to the north, is home to many orchards, which give their name to the 40-mile AA signposted walking, cycling and driving route (also visiting Evesham and Pershore ) that runs close to the town. Between March and May, cherry, pear and apple blossom can be often seen. ( updated Apr 2022 )
• 52.036858 -1.862204 1 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.  
• 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 well-served for eating. The best dining is in the hotels, see Sleep for Lygon Arms, Russell's and Broadway Hotel.
• Swan Inn , 2 The Green, WR12 7AA . Refurbished pub with good bar meals. ( updated Jan 2017 )
• 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. ( updated Jan 2017 )
• 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.
• 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. ( updated Oct 2016 )
• 52.03505 -1.863527 1 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 Olive Branch , 78 High St, Broadway WR12 7AJ , ☏ +44 1386 853440 . Lovely friendly B&B in a coaching inn built 1592. No dogs. B&B double £130 . ( updated Aug 2020 )
• Russell's , 20 High St, Broadway WR12 7DT , ☏ +44 1386 853555 . Restaurant with 7 rooms in village centre. Stylish, but tall guests better avoid Room 4. Fine dining, the fixed price menu is excellent value. B&B double £140 . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Broadway Hotel , The Green, Broadway WR12 7AA , ☏ +44 1386 852401 . 15th century inn; the interior is stylish with an equestrian theme. Excellent restaurant and beer garden overlooking the village green. B&B double £240 . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• 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, Sudeley Castle.

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Things to do in Broadway, Cotswolds: A local’s guide

By Author Local Expert

Posted on Last updated: 24 May 2024

Located in the southeast of Worcestershire, Broadway is a small village that’s big on charm. It’s known as ‘The Jewel of the Cotswolds’, and Broadway’s historic buildings, hilltop tower, fantastic shops and restaurants, and some of the most luxurious accommodation in the region keep visitors flocking back year-after-year. So discover the best things to do in Broadway, as well as where to stay, eat and drink, with this insider’s guide to the village from our local expert Caroline.

Broadway’s history

Broadway’s exact origins are unknown, but it’s thought to be one of the first ancient partial settlements in the UK, dating back over 5000 years. In the 9th century it was known as Bradsetena Gamere (Broad Village), undergoing several name changes over the years until becoming commonly known as ‘Broadway’ in the 16th century – taking its name from the wide High Street.

The Lygon Arms Hotel on the High Street is steeped in history. During the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell stayed a night here before the Battle of Worcester.

In the Middle Ages, Broadway grew and prospered thanks to the wool and cloth industry, with merchants building fine houses. And when a coaching route opened up over Fish Hill in the 1500s, Broadway became an important stop on the Worcester to London stagecoach route, with coaches having to stop in the village to harness extra horses for the steep climb up the hill.

It was at this time that the centre of the village moved. Originally it was a mile further south, located around St Eadburgha’s parish church. But with new inns opening along the stagecoach route the heart of the village moved north. At one point there were 33 inns in Broadway to cater for the traffic passing though. But once the railway in Evesham opened in 1852 it all stopped.

Broadway became a tranquil place, popular with Victorian artists and writers, and a centre for Arts and Crafts design. And the arrival of the motor car brought tourists to experience Broadway’s charms – it’s now one of the Cotswolds’ most popular, and busiest, villages.

Map of Broadway, Cotswolds

Things to do in Broadway

The high street.

One of the best things to do in Broadway is to take a stroll along the High Street and admire the beautiful golden Cotswold stone buildings. Many of them date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and were built as coaching inns. Some of the village’s prettiest buildings can be found at the top end of the High Street past the roundabout, which is quieter with more residential properties.

In spring and summer, buildings are draped in flowers – wisteria season around May is extra pretty (though very busy). And look out for the Millennium Garden, which is hidden away behind the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery and makes a peaceful spot to take a breather.

Independent shopping

Broadway has some of best shopping in the Cotswolds, with a diverse selection of independent boutiques selling fashion, food, homewares and gifts. Some of our favourite shops to browse are At Home With The Rudds for luxury interiors, Rikki Tikki for toys, The Man Cave or Wild at Heart for gifts, Scents On The Green for perfume and the Cotswold Distillery’s gin shop.

If you’re visiting Broadway in December, it’s worth trying to catch a traditional late-night Christmas shopping evening , with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, carols and horse chestnut trees filled with twinkling lights making a stunning backdrop on a cold, crisp winter evening.

The Gordon Russell Design Museum

Furniture designer Gordon Russell moved to Broadway as a child when his father bought The Lygon Arms hotel. And the area left its mark on this pioneering designer, who was a great believer that good design could have a positive impact on people’s lives. His Arts and Crafts furniture designs became famous, combining traditional techniques with new machine technology.

You can find out more about his life and work at Broadway’s Gordon Russell Design Museum . The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am to 4pm (entry £8 adults, children under 16 free). His name also lives on at Russell’s restaurant, which is in his former company headquarters.

Broadway Museum and Art Gallery

For an insight into Broadway’s history, pay a visit to the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery , set inside a 17th-century building which was once The Angel Inn (entry £7 adults, children under 16 free). It takes you on a journey through Broadway’s different eras, from the rise and fall of the wool industry through its days as a coaching route stop to the arrival of artists, writers and designers.

As well as the permanent collections, there are a series of temporary exhibits – currently including one on vintage postcards of Broadway and another on the history of the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway, featuring stories from people who worked on the line.

Broadway Tower and Deer Park

Located on a beacon hill just outside the village, Broadway Tower is the second-highest point in the Cotswolds, with panoramic views over 16 counties, out across the Cotswolds and Severn Vale towards Wales. The tower was built by architect James Wyatt in 1798 and has been used as a printing press and a retreat for artists including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

It’s also more unexpectedly the site of a Cold War nuclear bunker. Now the tower is open to the public (entry £14 adults, £6 children 11–16, £3 children 6–10) and you can climb to the top or take a bunker tour. Look out for the herd of resident red deer in the park next to the tower too.

Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway

A trip on board the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway is a great was to see more of the stunning Cotswold scenery around Broadway. Around 14 miles of track has been restored, which runs between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse, via Toddington and Winchcombe.

An army of volunteers keep things running smoothly, with a mixture of steam and heritage diesel engines and stations with plenty of vintage charm and period details, from piles of suitcases to retro posters. A £26 all-day rover ticket (£10 for children aged 5–15) lets you travel on the line all day, and there are events throughout the year, including The Santa Express at Christmas .

Walks from Broadway

The Broadway Tower is along the route of the Cotswold Way , a 102-mile long distance walking route connecting Chipping Campden and Bath. If you’d like to stretch your legs on a shorter stretch of the route, a 4.4-mile circular route links the village to the Broadway Tower, passing St Eadburgha’s Church on the way. It takes around two hours to walk, plus time to visit the Tower.

You can also walk a one-way stretch of the Cotswold Way, then catch a bus or take a taxi back to Broadway. Heading north it’s six miles to Chipping Campden , or to the south it’s four miles to Stanton or 12 miles to Winchcombe . The village is also on the route of another long-distance walking trail too, the Wychavon Way which runs for 40 miles from Droitwich Spa to Broadway.

Cotswold Lavender

If you’re visiting the Cotswolds in summer , don’t miss a trip to Cotswold Lavender . Their fragrant flower fields are set on a hillside just two miles south of Broadway. Each year Cotswold Lavender open their display fields up to the public from mid-June until early August when the crop is harvested and distilled (entry £7.50 adults, £3.25 children aged 5–15 and free for under 5s).

Their abundant and varied crop of lavender creates a beautiful sea of purple, with different varieties on show as well as wildflowers and a woodland trail. There are also lots of lavender products on sale, from soaps and essential oils to lavender-infused chocolate or lavender tea.

Snowshill Manor and village

The village of Snowshill is also only three miles from Broadway. This scenic spot was a filming location for Bridget Jones’ Diary and is centred around a village green and Victorian St Barnabas Church. It’s also home to Snowshill Manor and Garden , a National Trust property restored from a ruin by Edwardian architect, artist and poet Charles Paget Wade in the 1920s.

Wade was a collector of anything he thought showed good craftsmanship, amassing over 20,000 items, from bicycles and musical instruments to Samurai suits of armour. Many are on display in the house, which is open to the public (entry £14 adults, £7 children, free for National Trust members) along with the lovely gardens, complete with their own model seaside village.

Where to eat in Broadway

Cafés and delis.

The Broadway Deli has the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopfront in the village, with colourful piles of produce and a retro truck parked outside. As well as selling food to take away, there is also a café with both indoor and outdoor seating. They serve an all-day menu which includes sandwiches, soups, salads and quiches, and there’s a selection of gluten-free and vegan options.

Market Pantry is a café-come-homewares store on the High Street, with a friendly welcome. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are available, with everything homemade using as many locally sourced, seasonal ingredients as possible. The sausage rolls are a particular favourite.

Or if you have a sweet tooth, The Cotswold Larder Cakery is tucked away just off the High Street down Kennel Lane, with indulgent sweet treats like cakes, brownies and milkshakes.

Restaurants and pubs

Tattersall’s Brasserie at the Broadway Hotel has a relaxed, unstuffy feel. This two AA rosette restaurant focuses on local produce, serving lunch, afternoon tea and dinner in the light-filled atrium – as well as a good Sunday roast. There’s also the more casual Jockey Bar next door, inspired by the Cheltenham Races, for drinks in the courtyard overlooking the village green.

The Grill by James Martin is a new venture for the celebrity chef at The Lygon Arms . The menu features Chateaubriand and Côte de Boeuf alongside grilled steaks and lamb shanks, all served in the grand setting of their historic dining room with its vaulted ceilings and chandeliers.

Dormy House hotel on Fish Hill is around a five-minute drive from the village, and has several dining options, including fine dining in the Back Garden and at MO – where an eight-course tasting menu is served to just 12 guests at a time. More casual are the Greenhouse and the Shed Bar.

Russell’s is an award-winning restaurant, taking advantage of the delicious produce from the Cotswolds and nearby Vale of Evesham in dishes like Duck Pithivier and Cotswold White Chicken Breast. Menus change daily, with a good-value fixed-price menu of three courses for £35.

Just behind the restaurant is Russell’s Fish and Chips , mentioned in Giles Coren’s and Marina O’Loughlin’s ‘100 Best Places to Eat in the UK’. This upscale take on the traditional chippy offers dine-in and takeaway options with salt and pepper squid or beer-battered halloumi alongside the usual cod and chips, served with crushed minted peas and homemade tartar sauce.

Another casual Broadway restaurant is Flipside , who serve delicious burgers (and are known for their wisteria-draped building in spring). Their succulent burgers come with a choice of chips, coleslaw or bean salad, and there are veggie, vegan and gluten-free options.

Where to stay in Broadway

Former coaching inn The Lygon Arms * dates back to the 1300s, with many famous names passing through its doors over the centuries. The hotel has a mix of rooms and suites, some with beamed ceilings and antique furniture, as well as more contemporary rooms in the annex and courtyard. It’s dog-friendly and has a luxury spa with swimming pool, as well as a restaurant and bar.

Abbots Grange * is another historic Broadway hotel, this time a medieval manor house that makes a perfect romantic break . This adults-only hotel has just nine bedrooms and is surrounded by eight acres of grounds with plenty of historic charm, including a wood-panelled dining room, four-poster beds, stone fireplaces and a cocktail bar complete with a medieval pulpit.

You can also stay in the former headquarters of furniture designer Gordon Russell, now Russell’s * restaurant with rooms. There are seven individually designed en-suite bedrooms which mix period features with a stylish, modern décor with luxurious bed linen and toiletries.

The Olive Branch Guest House is a traditional bed and breakfast in a 400-year-old listed building on the quiet upper end of the High Street. Rooms are furnished with antiques in a pretty, country style and there’s a guest lounge to relax in, and a Full English breakfast is included.

If you prefer self-catering, St Michael’s Cottage * is a beautifully restored thatched cottage on the edge of the village. It sleeps six in three bedrooms, with three bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, garden room and lounge with open fire, and is surrounded by a country garden.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Broadway?*

How to get to Broadway

Broadway by car.

Broadway lies on the A44 around seven miles south of Evesham and 10 miles northeast of Moreton-in-Marsh . There is paid parking at Church Close (WR12 7AH), just off the High Street, and Leamington Road (WR12 7ET) car parks, both of which start at 50p for up to 30 minutes.

Broadway can get very busy in summer, so if the car parks in the centre are full there’s also plenty of parking at the Milestone Ground by the football club (WR12 7HA), which is just a short walk away from the village centre. Parking fees start from £1 for one hour.

Broadway by public transport

Broadway’s closest train stations are in Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. Both have bus connections to Broadway – the Stagecoach 1/2 bus from Moreton-in-Marsh to Broadway takes 30 minutes (except Sundays) or the NN Cresswell Rural 4 bus from Evesham takes 20 minutes (weekdays only).

You can also take a train to Cheltenham, then catch the 606 bus which also goes to Winchcombe and Chipping Campden, but it’s fairly slow, taking 1 hour 40 minutes. A better option from Cheltenham is the scenic Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway, which takes 70 minutes (though it only runs on certain dates ).

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

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Saturday 16th of September 2023

Well done, this article gave me a very good insight into Broadway and all it has to offer.

Lucy Dodsworth

Friday 29th of September 2023

Thanks so much!

Thursday 26th of January 2023

Absolutely loved Broadway; our first experience of the Cotswold and it was a "pinch yourself "experience. Quaint shops and just the whole main street experience was like being in a different world. Hoping to return and stay so as to really soak in the experience one day !

It's a lovely place!

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14 Unique Things to Do in Broadway [The Jewel of the Cotswolds]

Plan your perfect visit to Broadway, an elegant village often referred to as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”. From eating the best fish and chips in the Cotswolds to climbing Broadway tower for exquisite views, here are the best things to do in Broadway you mustn’t miss!

Located just 25-minutes from Stratford-Upon-Avon , Broadway is a large village named after its chestnut-lined High Street and wide “broad way” thoroughfare that once formed part of the road linking London and Wales, via Worcester. Broadway’s grass-fringed main street is flanked by ex-coaching inns and honey-coloured Cotswold limestone cottages, many dating from the 16th century. Today, these buildings are home to cute antique shops, cozy tearooms, art galleries, and luxurious hotels.

From where to stay to where to eat, here are the best things to do in Broadway, The Cotswolds. 

1. Explore the pretty houses on Upper High Street

2. Don’t miss the hidden Millennium Garden

This easy-to-miss idyllic garden features several benches offering mesmerising views of the rolling Cotswolds hills and a change to stop and take it all in. You’ll also find a variety of plant species and wildlife that occupy the garden. Don’t miss this hidden delight during your visit!

3. Eat the best fish and chips at Russell’s Fish & Chips

• Address: Located at 20a High St, Broadway WR12 7DT between the Broadway Cook Shop and Trinity House Fine Art in a small side street.
• Opening times: Open Monday – Saturday: 12.30pm to 3.00 pm / 4.30 pm to 8 pm; Sunday 12 noon to 6 pm
• For more details, visit the official Russell’s Fish and Chip website here

4. Dine at the award-winning Russell’s Of Broadway

Located in front of Russell’s Fish & Chips and housed within the old workshop of the influential 20th Century British furniture designer, Sir Gordon Russell, is the award-winning Russell’s Of Broadway. Famous for serving delicious modern British food from their daily-changing menus and locally sourced ingredients, you can even stay in one of their seven stylish guestrooms and suites .

• Address: High St, Broadway WR12 7DT
• Wednesday to Saturday: 12 Noon – 3pm / 5pm-8pm last orders;
• Sunday: 12 Noon – 7.30 pm last orders
• For more details, visit the official Russell’s of Broadway website here

5. Eat the best scones in town at Tisanes Tea Room

This traditional tearoom plays vintage music and serves homemade cakes, sandwiches and shortbread. Their jam and clotted cream is so light and fresh that I ate what was left over on its own! Something I never do. I sat out the back near the kitchen which didn’t provide much of an atmosphere, so I recommend asking for a table in the front room with its bay window and views of the village.

• Address : Cotswold House, 21 The Green, Broadway WR12 7AA
• Opening times: Open daily 9 am – 5 pm
• For more details, visit the official Tisanes Tea Room website here

6. Climb Broadway Tower and explore Deer Park

The tower’s concept was Initiated by Capability Brown and designed by James Wyatt in 1794. It wasn’t until a few years later that Lady Coventry sponsored the construction of the folly and Broadway Tower was built a beacon hill and lit on special occasions. 

Lady Coventry took an interest in its construction as you wanted to know whether a beacon on this hill could be seen from her house in Worcester, some 22 miles (35 km) away. Spoiler! Yes it could!

There’s more than just the tower itself to visit. Broadway Tower is set within a 50-acre estate of parkland, where you can not only climb the tower itself and visit the Tower Museum inside, but you can also visit the Deer Park, relax in the Morris & Brown café or take the 1.2km Broadway Circular Walk around the grounds.

For war and history buffs, you might be interested in visiting the subterranean Cold War-era nuclear bunker located fifteen feet below ground. Tours are by private appointment only.

• Address : Middle Hill, Broadway WR12 7LB
• Broadway Tower, Park and Picnic Ticket – Adult £8.00; 
• Broadway Tower, Park and Picnic Ticket – Child (6-16 years) £4.00
• The Park – 9am – 5pm daily
• The Tower – 10am – 5pm daily
• Morris & Brown Cafe – 9am – 5pm daily
• For more details, visit the official Broadway Tower & Park website here

7. Pick up the best produce at Broadway Deli and Café

• Address : St Patricks, 29 High St, Broadway WR12 7DP
• Deli  –  Monday to Saturday 8 am – 5 pm; Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
• Café –  Monday to Saturday 8 m – 3.30 pm (tea, coffee & cakes available until 4 pm); Sunday 9 am-2.30 pm (tea, coffee & cakes available until 4 pm).
• For more details, visit the official Broadway Deli website here

8. See microscopic sculptures at Broadway Museum and Art Gallery

It’s most exciting addition to its permanent collection is the new Willard Room, home to a permanent exhibition of over 25 micro sculptures by internationally renowned artist Willard Wigan MBE.  His sculptures are so small and invisible to the naked eye that a microscope is needed to see these incredible masterpieces! It’s no wonder they’ve been celebrated in the Guinness Book of World Records.

• Address : 65 High St, Broadway WR12 7DP
• Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 10.30-4.00 (last entry 3.30)
• Admission : Adult £5.00; Child £2.00 (under 5’s free)
• For more details, visit the official Broadway Museum and Art Gallery website here

9. Visit The Gordon Russell Museum

Sir (Sydney) Gordon Russell was an influential 20th Century British furniture designer famous for creating mass produced furniture that retained a strong sense of British tradition and the highest possible standards of craftsmanship. 

Russell, who moved to Broadway in 1904 when he was twelve years old after his father bought the Lygon Arms Inn . He attended Grammar School at the nearby village at Chipping Campden.

In 1923, He opened a workshop in the current Russell’s building where he employed 200 highly skilled craftsmen in his firm over the next 60 years. Russell became instrumental in developing utility furniture during World War II.

This small museum is housed in the original Grade II listed drawing office and workshop and showcases Russell’s works and that of his company, which operated for over sixty years in Broadway.

• Address : 15 Russell Square, Broadway WR12 7AP
• Opening times: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 am – 4 pm (last timed entry at 3pm).
• Admission : Adult £5.00; Child (under 16) Free; Students Free
• For more details, visit the official Gordon Russell Museum website here

10. Drink a seasonal beer at the Crown & Trumpet

Crown & Trumpet is known for its good pub grub including its Sunday roast with Cotswold Beef and Tewkesbury Mustard. But perhaps  Crown & Trumpet is even more famous for being CAMRA recommended (the Campaign for Real Ale) for serving four exclusively brewed seasonally.

All lunches and dinners are homemade and sourced from locally produced ingredients. You can enjoy a fireside meal or a cool Pimm’s in the summer on their patio.

• Address : 14 Church St, Broadway WR12 7AE
• Opening times: Daily 11 am – 11 pm
• For more details, visit the official Crown and Trumpet website here

11. Walk the Cotswold Way Circular Walk from Broadway Village to Broadway Tower

• Distance: 4 miles
• Duration: 2½ -3 hrs
• Difficulty : Moderate, some steep sections and stiles
• For more information and a map, visit the offical National Trail website here

12. Have Tipsy Tea at The Fish Hotel & Retreat

There are a few reasons to visit The Fish, for some of the best surf’n’turf in the Cotswolds, sleeping in their magical treetop hideaways but also for their Tipsy Tea! It’s almost mandatory to have a traditional Afternoon at least once during your trip to the Cotswolds, but at The Fish, they serve it with a twist! 

Tipsy Tea makes this afternoon tradition even more exciting and gets your taste buds tingling. To start things off, you get one of their house blended Hoogly tea infused cocktails. Choose from white tea infused prosecco, marzipan mule and chocolate brownie with a slug of rum. Next, pair your cocktail with a selection of tasty savoury teatime treats. To top things off, indulge in their tipsy cakes and scones with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam.  To make things even better, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. Booking is essential.

• Address : The Fish Hotel, Farncombe Estate Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7LH
• For more details, check availability and book your stay at The Fish here

13. See Britain’s tallest fountain at Stanway House and Fountain

Located just a few miles outside of Broadway is the pretty village of Stanway where you’ll find the extraordinary beautiful Jacobean manor, Stanway House and Fountain complete with original furniture.

The House has been lived in by the same family since the 16th century and each room can be explored with an audio guide as well as room guides to help you learn more about its history of gossip and events of national interest.

Outside in its beautiful baroque water gardens is Britain’s tallest fountain, which erupts like a geyser to a whopping 300ft! 

• Address : Stanway House, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5PQ
• Admission :  House and Fountain ticket – Adult £11.00; Concessions £8.50; Children under 14 £5.00
• For more details, visit the official Stanway House website here

14. Visit the picturesque village of Snowshill

Located nearby is Snowshill manor, a 16th-century country house with an interesting collection of thousands of objects gathered by its previous owner, Charles Paget Wade, who donated the house to the National Trust in 1951. Expect to see everything from old bicycles, toys, instruments and even 26 suits of Japanese samurai armour.

Want to see more of the Cotswolds? Join one of these top-rated tours.

• Cotswolds & Downton Abbey Locations
• Small-Group Tour of Cotswold Villages
• Private Cotswold Village Tour (for your group only)
• Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle Day Trip from London
• Lunch in the Cotswolds Tour from London
• Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London
• Small-Group Day Trip to Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon from London
• Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath Full Day Trip from London

Don’t miss my Cotswolds travel guide for more tips

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Broadway

Luxury – the fish .

Located on Fish Hill, The Fish overlooks the beautiful Cotswold countryside from its 400 acres of private estate. Each room room includes free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobes, and a hairdryer and an en suite bathroom.

Thanks to its size, The Fish is spread out like a sort of village with bedrooms and public areas located across separate buildings – The Farmhouse, The Outhouse and The Stables. There is even a games room.

For more details, check availability and book your stay at The Fish here .

Luxury – Russell’s

Enjoy all the luxuries of this 5-star boutique hotel located right in the heart of Broadway on the High Street. With period features, each bedroom features a luxury bathroom, quality linens and air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and designer toiletries, and some have a stand-alone bath and scenic views. Everyone morning wake up to their exceptional breakfast

For more details, check availability and book your stay at Russels’s here

Mid-Budget – The Lygon Arms

For more details, check availability and book your stay at The Lygon Arms here

For more places to stay in Broadway, you can check the latest prices here

For an alternative accommodation option, I would recommend renting out an apartment or room through Airbnb. Cute Airbnb options are popping up all over the area so you’ll find some really beautiful places at very affordable prices. Airbnb has numerous convenient options to choose from. If it’s your first time get US$65 OFF here or get £50 OFF your first stay here , when you sign up using my unique reader referral link.   If not, compare prices and book your stay here.   For more inspiration, visit my guide to the most unique cottages on Airbnb.

Here’s a handy map to see all available stays.

Visiting the UK? Check out my other posts

• 22 of The Cotswolds Best Villages You Must Visit [Plus Things to Do & Map]
• Adorable Cotswolds Airbnbs: 26 Most Unique Airbnb Cottages in the Cotswolds
• 7 Wonderful Things to Do in Burford in The Cotswolds
• 6 Unmissable Things to Do in Castle Combe, The Cotswolds Prettiest Village
• 16 Best Things to do in Moreton-in-Marsh, The Cotswolds
• Top 12 Things to do in Stow-on-the-Wold, The Cotswolds
• 12 Best Things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, The Cotswolds
• 11 Lovely Things to Do in Lower Slaughter & Upper Slaughter, The Cotswolds
• How to Get to The Cotswolds from London, around the UK & Beyond!
• 16 Lovely Things to Do in Stratford-upon-Avon: A Detailed Guide to Shakespeare’s Birthplace
• 10 Unusual Things to do in London You Never Knew About
• B Bakery Bus Tour: The Best Afternoon Tea Tour in London
• 31 Fascinating Origins of London Street Names Revealed
• 25 Wonderful Phrases Shakespeare Invented that You Use Every day
• 30 Incredible Stories Behind English Idioms and Phrases You Use Every Day
• 20 Hidden Meanings of English Place-Names You Probably Didn’t Know
• Self-Guided Banksy Walking Tour in Bristol: Where to See 10 Original Banksy Art
• 29 Best Things to do in Bristol | The Ultimate City Guide

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MAP OF BROADWAY

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Map of Broadway & the Cotswolds

The village of Broadway is situated at the foot of Fish Hill in the far south-east of the county of Worcestershire, located along the western Cotswold escarpment. It is centrally located in the West Midlands region making it easy to reach from anywhere in the UK or overseas, whether you're travelling by car, train, bus or plane. If you need to arrange transport to the village there is a range of local taxi companies who would be more than willing to help.

» Arriving by Car

Whether you're travelling from the north or south of the UK, Broadway is easy to find by car. For Sat Nav directions, use the postcode address WR12 7DT to navigate to Broadway's High Street, or alternatively look for the A44 and follow the signs to Broadway.

» Arriving by Train

If you're planning to arrive by train, the closest and most convenient stations are Evesham, Honeybourne and Moreton-in-Marsh. They are all within a short drive from Broadway, however Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh offer a better bus service with frequently running buses taking you into the village.

» Arriving by Plane

The nearest International Airport to Broadway is Birmingham International. Other airports that are close to the Midlands region are East Midlands, Bristol and Coventry.

Use the map below for a more detailed look at where Broadway is located within Worcestershire and the Cotswolds.

If you wish to find out the weather forecast in Broadway for your visit, please see our weather in Broadway page.

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Honeypot Cottages

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Broadway Tower Cottages

Broadway Hotel

The Fish Hotel

The Crown & Trumpet

Laburnum Cottage

Hillside Lodge