About Broadway

It is documented that Broadway was a settlement as early as 1900BC. When occupied by the ancient Beaker people and then later by the Romans. In 972 AD King Edgar granted possession of Broadway to the Benedictine Monastery in Pershore. It remained in the monastery’s ownership until 1539, when following the Reformation, ownership passed to the Crown.

In 1558 the Crown sold the manor of Broadway and the manorial rights and for the next 200 years the estate was owned by a series of interesting people including Sir William Babington whose son was hung drawn and quartered for his involvement with an unsuccessful plot to free Mary Queen of Scots from Fotheringay Castle.

Owing to its unique location circa 1600 Broadway became important as a major stage-coaching centre located on the route between London and Worcester.

The world famous Lygon Arms was one such coaching inn. During the second half of the 19th Century following the arrival of rail travel and the introduction of cycles artists and writers including J M Barrie, Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar, John Singer Sargent and the renowned William Morris were able to travel freely and discovered Broadway and made it into one of the most famous villages in England.

One of Broadway’s most famous landmarks, the Tower, was built by the Earl of Coventry in 1798. The folly is the second highest point in the Cotswolds, standing 1031 feet above sea level.

Today Broadway is a popular destination for travellers from all over the world.

Details of some of the places you may wish to Visit and suggestions of Things that may be of interest to you: