The Jewel Of The Cotswolds Is A Charming Village With Quaint Shops, History, And Nature Walks

Beginning about 75 miles west of London, the Cotswolds is a British protected national landscape renowned for its bucolic terrain of vast farmland, dry stone walls, and historic villages built of local limestone. While many postcard-perfect communities dot this nearly 800-square-mile region, one village is so beautiful that it's called the Jewel of the Cotswolds. The village of Broadway captures the Cotswolds' distinctive architecture with well-preserved rose-covered limestone cottages clustered along its High Street, which looks lifted from a storybook.

Broadway earned its name from this High Street, once known as the "broad way." The central thoroughfare was a popular transit hub for stagecoaches in the 17th century and was lined with inns, such as the Lygon Arms, which still welcomes guests today. Broadway's picturesque High Street is now a shopper's delight flanked by quaint shops and boutiques. 

From High Street, visitors can enjoy the Cotswolds' idyllic natural beauty by heading out on the Cotswolds Way, a 102-mile walking trail that runs through Broadway. The trail leads visitors to Broadway Hill, which boasts an elevation of over 1,000 feet, and is home to Broadway Tower. This castle-inspired 18th-century landmark offers remarkable views from the top. 

While Broadway's historic charm seems to transport visitors back in time, the village is easy to access. It's about a 2.5-hour drive or train ride from London, and if you're flying in, the closest major airport is Heathrow (LHR), which is a nearly two-hour drive. The best time to plan a visit to Broadway for nature walks is between June and September, when high temperatures average 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to find out how the Jewel of the Cotswolds came to be, stop into the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery on High Street. There you can trace Broadway's evolution from bustling stagecoach stop to artists' enclave to its current incarnation. Inside a former 17th-century inn, the museum also showcases a permanent collection of artworks and rotating exhibits of paintings by Broadway artist regulars including John Singer Sargent.

A short stroll away on High Street you'll also find one of the oldest hotels in the world. Since the 14th century, the stately Lygon Arms has welcomed royal and celebrity guests from King Charles I to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Today, you can check into 90 refreshed rooms and suites or stop for a meal or afternoon tea at the hotel's restaurants.

Afterward, browse the quaint shops along High Street. For a curated array of vintage treasures, stop into Cheltenham House Antiques, where you can browse elegant portraits, antique silverware, fine furniture, rare coins, and first-edition books. Then amble just a few steps away to The Goldsmithy, where artisans have handcrafted jewelry for nearly 50 years. Here you can design your own custom piece in the on-site studio for the ultimate Broadway souvenir. 

If you want to bring the Cotswolds' countryside charm home with you, At Home with the Rudds has patterned cushions, cozy woolen throws, scented candles, and other British gifts. Head across the street to browse the books and greeting cards at family-owned Blandford Books or for a sweet treat, pick up a box of locally made candy at Hamiltons Chocolates, established in Broadway in 1986. For more shopping, venture about a 30-minute drive away to the charming town of Tewkesbury that's known for its markets.

While High Street's shops and galleries can keep visitors entertained, the dreamy countryside of the Cotswolds National Landscape should be explored by nature trails. In fact, the 102-mile, quintessentially English Cotswold Way passes right through Broadway. This walking trail is a beautiful way to see the Cotswolds' scenery and important sights such as the iconic Broadway Tower. You can access the tower by turning off High Street and heading just over a mile on the Cotswold Way. 

The Broadway Tower was built in the late 18th century, inspired by the "follies" — false castles and other structures — of landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown. This Gothic-style castle with crenellated turrets and mullioned windows rises about 65 feet, and its lonely setting and romantic beauty lured creatives including artist William Morris in the 19th century. During World War II, it served as a Royal Observer Corps lookout, and a nuclear bunker was built underground during the Cold War.

Today, you can explore the tower's interior and ascend to the observation deck, the Cotswolds' highest point, for panoramic vistas of the sweeping landscape. Back at the bottom, you can embark on a duo of walking loops that weave through the surrounding 200-acre property, where you may spot the resident red deer. You can even head down into the nuclear bunker to learn about its function during the Cold War years. 

"The tower itself looks stunning, and the views across the Cotswolds are amazing, especially in the evening light," raved a Google reviewer. "It's a peaceful place to walk around, relax, take photos and enjoy the scenery." For more nature walks near Broadway, head out on the Cotswold Way and venture nearly 3.5 miles northeast to Chipping Campden, the beginning of the trail.