Overview

SET SAT NAV. WR12 7AH. BROADWAY The attractive and beautiful 5* town of Broadway calls us forward today, but parking is going to be difficult, so if you see a space on High Street, take it. Hopefully you may have been following our suggested Cotswold tour reviews, and you have just departed from Lygon Arms, having found a decent space to park, and if you have your disabled badge on view, stay there, there’s no rush if following our trip. If you need parking then read the section below, for parking. HISTORY In 972, the Manor of Broadway was the property of the church of St Mary and Eadburga of PERSHORE, and remained as its property until the dissolution of monasteries. After the Normans conquest in 1066, the market town of Broadway was built, with a church being built as the land was now owned by the monasteries. St Eadburghs church more than likely replaced a wooden church on its site. The church dates back to the late parts of the 12th century. The old village of Broadway was centred around the church, with more details in the doomsday book of 1086. Records show that a “broad road” ran from the church at that time. Sheep grazed all around this area, and would have been brought to market along its wide road, now the triangular green (photo 4) and because of this wool, trade grew rapidly for the village. The current High Street grew to be the centre of the village as it gradually expanded, using the lovely honey coloured stone that is famous in the Cotswold, taking it from the quarry on Broadway hill, which overlooks the village. In 1196, and following years, the monks of PERSHORE paid 10 marks for a weekly market to be held here on a Wednesday. In 1251, a grant was given for a weekly market to be held on Tuesdays. Sadly, by the start of the 17th century, it had fallen into disuse, In the 1500 hundreds, a coaching route made it a very important stage on the route from Worcester to Oxford, and on to London, (notice the sign erected now on High street near Fish hill) our photo for this is (photo 10) and of course this meant they needed Inns to be built. The Lygon Arms became one of these (photo 3) ( THIS IS REVIEWED FOR YOU IN OUR COTSWOLD TOUR PART 2 LYGON ARMS) Interestingly, HRH Prince Philip visited Broadway on 15th March 1968, and slept in The Lygon Arms, so at least we can say we have taken a drink with him, ha ha. If you are interested in furniture design, then do visit the Gordon Russell Design Museum in Broadway, where he designed a commission for our Queen and Prince Philip. OUR PHOTOS Just on the outskirts of Willersey, you will enter the manor of Broadway (photo 1) as you quickly enter Broadway and its famous honey coloured buildings (photo 2). Try to find a parking spot along High Street, then slowly ride along. One building that will catch your attention will be The Lygon Arms (photo 3) as you pass by towards the old market square (photo 4) Returning on High Street ( photo 5) the path will take you along towards The Lygon Arms, and opposite this you will find a small shop offering tastes of the Cotswold in its distillery (photo 6) which is of course on sale for you (photo 7) and local produce can be bought at the fruit and veg stalls (photo 8). After passing the Lygon Arms, if you have the ability, you can ride along the length of High Street, eventually passing delightful cottages (photo 9) before you reach the sign for the start of the old coach route (photo 10) and the end of High Street (photo 11). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Just a delightful village, Honey coloured buildings, clean streets, small unusual shops, with many drinking holes. A MUST SEE, so we highly recommend a visit

Transport & Parking

If you are fortunate enough, you may just come across street parking spaces, but don’t count on it, Broadway is a very popular destination. There is a public car park and toilets, available just at the far end of Broadway, on the road towards Childswickham, but disabled still have to pay, but it’s not far to be pushed back to return to High street and enjoy this lovely Cotswold town.

Access

Although a very attractive popular visit, you have paths and paving to get you around, with a few shops and cafes to visit, but it can be uneven in places, so carer needs to be aware of this.

Toilets

Basic toilets as in all car parks, but ok if really needed.

Staff

Photos