Broadway Tower
Folly with fantastic views
This landmark ‘folly’ high on the Cotswold hills above the village of Broadway has amazing views (on a clear day you can see to the Black Mountains in Wales) and cool displays on its different floors.
The tower was commissioned by George William, 6th Earl of Coventry and his wife, Lady Coventry who had several follies in and around their home at Croome Court. Designed by Capability Brown with architect James Wyatt, the 1024 feet (312m) tower was completed in 1798 with gargoyles, turrets and battlements. Love the spiral staircases inside.
William Morris and Arts and Crafts Movement Pre-Raphaelite artist friends Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones used Broadway Tower as a holiday home and there’s a display about them. It was also the home of a printing press and the Royal Observer Corps used Broadway Tower as a lookout in WW1 and WW2 and built a nuclear bunker here during the Cold War.
The Tower is on the Cotswold Way walking trail from Chipping Campden to Bath, so you can also use it as a starting point to walk a section. Drop into Morris and Brown Cafe & Shop in the car park near the Tower.