Broadway

Broadway is a well-known and much visited Cotswolds region village in the English county of Worcestershire. Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds" and the "Show Village of England" because of it's archetypal rural beauty, the 'Broad Way' leads from the foot of the western Cotwolds escarpement 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 up-market 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 is a major tourist destination and private chartered coach trips are run by a vast number of companies from most major cities, including London and Birmingham, plus 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, both groups of whom tend to be chatty and great fun.

Broadway Tower - built on an ancient beacon site atop Fish Hill, this was a favourite retreat of the Victorian designer William Morris. On a clear day, the view from the Tower encompasses as many as 13 counties. Public footpaths run around, and up to, the tower. Entry to the tower is around £4, includes a small William Morris exhibition and access to all levels including the roof. Unsurprisingly, wheelchair access is not practical due to spiral stairs. There is a ticket desk and small souvenir shop on the ground floor. There is also a cafe and car-park nearby. Car access via the A44 Fish Hill.