Visit Broadway in the Cotswolds in 2022

In Worcestershire’s southeast corner, Broadway is a small community with a lot of character. Visitors return year after year because of its unique history, diverse dining and shopping options, and some of the region’s most exquisite accommodations. You’ll never run out of things to do in this small but perfectly formed Cotswold village.

The exact origins of Broadway are uncertain; however, it is likely to be one of the UK’s first ancient partial settlements, with fieldwork dating back over 5000 years. The village’s name changed several times over the centuries until it became known as ‘Broadway’ in the 16th century, gaining its name from the breadth of its main thoroughfare.

In Worcestershire’s southeast corner, Broadway is a small community with a lot of character. Visitors return year after year because of its unique history, diverse dining and shopping options, and some of the region’s most exquisite accommodations. You’ll never run out of things to do in this small but perfectly formed Cotswold village.

The exact origins of Broadway are uncertain; however, it is likely to be one of the UK’s first ancient partial settlements, with fieldwork dating back over 5000 years. The village’s name changed several times over the centuries until it became known as ‘Broadway’ in the 16th century, gaining its name from the breadth of its main thoroughfare.

Ask any Broadway local about Gordon Russell, and they will be able to tell you. His name lives on in the village in numerous forms, including a design museum and a restaurant, to name just a couple. He was the son of the legendary Lygon Arms Hotel owner and a design pioneer of his time. 
Gordon Russell’s furniture became famous after he became skilled in furniture design and used traditional Arts and Crafts methods native to the Cotswolds area. The museum, ideally positioned in the heart of the hamlet, opposite the Tourist Information Centre, is filled with his designs.

A ride on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is a terrific way to see more of the beautiful scenery surrounding Broadway. Between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, approximately 14 miles of the track have been renovated during the last 35 years. You’ll pass through Toddington and Winchcombe on your way. The railway operates a mix of steam and historic diesel engines and hosts a variety of seasonal activities for both adults and children throughout the year.
 
Broadway Tower, located on a beacon hill just outside the village, is the second-highest point in the Cotswolds, offering panoramic views of the Cotswold Hills. The tower, completed in 1794, has served as a printing mill, an artists’ retreat, and a nuclear bunker. The bunker is now open to the public, and you can climb to the top or take a tour of it.
 
The Cotswold Way, a 102-mile walking trail from Chipping Campden to Bath, passes Broadway Tower. A four-mile round walk connects the tower with the village if you want to stretch your legs on a short walk segment. Keep an eye out for the resident deer and the views out over the Cotswold countryside and into Wales across the Severn Vale.

If you’re in the Cotswolds during the summer, don’t forget to visit Cotswold Lavender. It’s slightly over two miles from the village, nestled on the top of the hills that surround Broadway. Cotswold Lavender opens their fields to the public from mid-June to August, allowing visitors to appreciate the spectacular displays generated by its bountiful and varied lavender crop.
 
Once upon a time, the concept of a fish and chip shop in the very heart of this picturesque and quintessentially English Broadway would have been unthinkable, but then Russell’s Fish and Chips opened. They’re certainly doing something right, as noted in Giles Coren’s and Marina O’Loughlin’s ‘100 Best Places to Eat in the UK.’ The eatery is just off the main street and serves dine-in and takeout and more unusual but tasty dishes like the basic fish finger sandwich and a throwback prawn cocktail – albeit on a different level than you may recall.

The Cotswolds Distillery is a more recent addition to Broadway’s main strip. Since its inception in 2014, the distillery in Stourton, near Shipston-on-Stour, has been producing craft single malt whiskies, liquors, and, most notably, the award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin. They now have a shop on the High Street in Broadway, and it’s one not to miss. 

If you’re looking for some retail therapy, Broadway’s high street is the place to go. You won’t want to miss a stroll through this beautiful high street, which has something for everyone. The shopping is an eclectic mix of independent, local businesses, with the occasional well-known name thrown in for good measure. No list of shops in Broadway would be complete without especially mentioning Cotswold Trading. 

When you’re planning your next visit to the Cotswolds, start by booking your holiday cottage and then plan a wonderful trip.