Overview

SET SAT NAV. WR12 7 DU. LYGON ARMS HOTEL Such a pleasure to take coffee in this fabulous and historical Cotswold Hotel, It’s how you feel a Cotswold Inn should be like. But it holds dark secrets, plotting and planning, King against country. (THE HOTELS OWN HANDBOOK OFFERS A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT ITS HISTORY) Our history for you however, begins with records of 1377, when the Inn was known as The White Hart. The Hart (stag) was the personal symbol of King Richard 11. Documented evidence from 1377 shows that a coaching inn did indeed stand on this site, long before the now Tudor building was built. Richards father, Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, died in 1376, when Richard was just 10 years old, and he was crowned on 16th July 1377. He was not a good king, and his cousin Henry, plotted to have him removed as king, and parliament agreed so King Richard was formally deposed on 1st October 1399. The now King Henry 4th was crowned on 13 October 1399. He set about changing Richards former properties, and named The White Hart as “The White Swan” in 1400, the swan being the symbol of the house of Lancaster. Later, the inn changed its name again, becoming “The Hart and Swan” when King Henry 5th came into power. Over the years the inn has had its name changed a number of times, records show that when the landlord Thomas White was at the Inn, in 1532, it was again “The White Hart”. By the mid 1600’s when King James the 1st reigned, the inn became known as “The George” and from 1604 to 1641 the Landlord was a John Treavis. In 1620, he added the front door and over the arch on the front door you can see where John Treavis carved his name, as well as his wife Ursula, but who he really was is not known, and why he carved his name is also a mystery. During this time, the inn was again known as “The White Swan” By 1641 it had reverted to “The White Hart”, and history had it recorded that on the night of 2nd September 1651, Oliver Cromwell slept at the White Hart, before the battle of Worcester took place the next day. That bedroom he used is now named as “Cromwell room”. Over the desk in the reception of The Lygon Arms you can see the portrait of “Oliver Cromwell, warts and all” the centre gold plated frame highlights this famous artwork. (photo 4). It’s this time period of wasteful wars, that the White Hart takes the central stage. During these battles of King Charles 1 and Oliver Cromwell, King Charles himself used the inn on several occasions, meeting here for the last time in 1649. That room is now known as the “Charles 1 Suite” before he had to face trial for treason in January 1649. His son, King Charles 11 continued the war with Cromwell until he was defeated on 3 September 1651, not far from the Lygon Arms, and his defeated men ran through Broadway. He spent the next nine years in exile in France, Holland and Spain. In 1658, Oliver Cromwell died, on 3 September, and was buried at Westminster Abbey, London. His death caused political crisis, and this resulted in King Charles 11 being invited back to England, and returned to the throne. What a waste of human life these wars caused, and what for ? (ANOTHER FUTURE REVIEW FOR LYGON ARMS WILL SHOW HOW IT WAS SO NAMED ) OUR PHOTOS The Lygon Arms on High Street, Broadway (photo 1) a beautiful honey coloured old Cotswold historical staging inn (photo 2) which you enter via the 1620 arched doorway (photo 3) We were warmly greeted at the reception desk (photo 4) before being invited to find a comfortable area (photo 5) and order a drink from the attractive wooden panelled Bar (photo 6) from which we enjoyed a hot coffee (photo 7). Satisfied, my husband did his usual wheelchair ride around to exit into the courtyard (photo 8). However, it is also a delight to reach the courtyard under the wooden archway (photo 9) and find this most enchanting courtyard (photo 10) with many rattan comfortable seating awaiting your pleasure (photo 11) and you can see the path that will lead you back to your carpark. However, you may wish, like us, to sit and relax in one of the many cosy little lounges (photo 12) and later, consider taking an Afternoon Tea in delightful surroundings (photo 13 or settle down in a armchair of your choice (photo 14). Each room holds its own attraction (photo 15) that shows off the history of this famous coach inn, where you can settle down with your favourite book in Hand (photo 16) when later on, you may choose to take a dip at the beautiful swimming pool in a truly lovely Spa and health club. Relax then with a pre-dinner drink in one of the leather chairs in an outstanding room (photo 17) before enjoying a wonderful dinner specially prepared for you (photo 18) in what most be one the the nicest dining rooms in Broadway. Then, after a truly wonderful visit into the Cotswolds, it will be time to retire to your bedroom (photo 19) delighted to know that accessible rooms are available on the ground floor, so you will have no need to climb any stairs, as you take in a truly lovely, comfortable and well presented bedroom of your choice (photo 20). OUR FINAL THOUGHT It oozes character, olde worlde charm, a beautiful old place to visit. All the furniture seems to be in keeping with the history of the place, and if you are in Broadway, it’s a must for your coffee break. We would certainly recommend this hotel.

Transport & Parking

Having already driven through typical lovely Cotswold scenery, passing delightful Honey coloured cottages, and reaching the little town of Broadway, this was the place to take coffee, and we were not disappointed. A LITTLE SECRET FOR PARKING FOR LYGON ARMS. Having arrived from Willersey and turned right towards Broadway, TURN RIGHT on High Street, and then drive through on High Street, to pass Lygon Arms on your right. Continue ahead to the monument on your left, then pass the Swan Hotel on right, and now, just a few yards later, TURN RIGHT on Springfield Lane. Just on a short right hand bend, you pass entrance for Gordon Russell Design Museum on the right, then about 10 feet on YOU TAKE THE FIRST GATEWAY ON YOUR LEFT, which is for Lygon Arms customers only. If it’s full, there’s another car park a few yards further on. BUT MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER YOUR CAR AT RECEPTION DESK for either car park you use. If you now walk to the left from first car park, or to right from second car park, you will pass the hotels gardens' an attractive quick walk through, and opposite these is the pathway to the Lygon Arms hotel, where you can enter to get to reception. Well worth remembering this route.

Access

There’s a small very low step to get over at the main front door archway, but then it’s quite level in most areas for you, which allows you to see what you need to see. The entry into the courtyard from High Street is also level so you may enjoy a drink in the courtyard terrace. There are no steps, you enter hotel by the corner doorway to your right, but steps in separate building over to your left to get up if you wish to enjoy the spa and health club. Entry along the pathway from the rear Back lane car parks is on the level to get you into the Bar and reception desk.

Toilets

These are located just a few feet from green Bar, a dark wooden push door to get in, which is quite wide, and disabled is the door to the right. It’s a mixed toilet, all share, but very clean and nicely tiled room, with grab handle and pull cord. Plenty of room in there for chairs

Staff

Excellent, willing to help and support disabled.

Photos