48 hours in Broadway

Broadway is justifiably lauded as a Cotswold beauty spot and a wander along its picture-postcard wide main street, lined with honey-hued buildings, will show you why. There is an abundance of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and antique shops to explore plus a multitude of attractions close by. It has absolutely everything you need for the perfect 48 hours in the Cotswolds.

Friday evening

During the summer months, Broadway’s main street is a hive of activity as dusk falls, with tables set outside the Swan Inn and on the green to the front of the Broadway Hotel. As the temperature drops and the seasons change, these wonderful old Cotswold buildings come into their own, beckoning you to cosy up inside amongst the old wooden beams and flickering log fires.

For a takeaway with a difference, head to Russell’s Fish and Chip shop. Tucked away in a small alley off the high street, it’s headed up by the same award-winning kitchen behind the renowned Russell’s of Broadway. Alongside the usual fish and chips, you’ll find grilled salmon, salt and pepper squid, and halloumi on the menu.

Saturday

This morning, head to the Market Pantry for breakfast before a morning of culture exploring the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery and the Gordon Russell Design Museum. The Broadway Museum is a community museum that works in conjunction with the Ashmolean in Oxford, whilst the Gordon Russell Museum celebrates the life and work of Gordon Russell in his original workshop.

The Broadway Deli is a good shout for lunch, whether you want to eat in or grab something and go.

If you are not too ‘museum-ed ’out, make the short drive towards the pretty village of Snowshill to the National Trust-owned Snowshill Manor and Gardens. Snowshill is the eclectic home of Charles Wade. He was an architect and artist with a passion for the unusual. His collections are quirky and avant-garde and as you wander through the atmospheric rooms, you’ll find thousands of objects from the tiniest of toys to genuine Samurai armour. For a few short weeks in July, the Snowshill Lavender Fields are also definitely worth a visit.

Saturday evening

This evening you are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. For a real treat or a special occasion, head to MO at the Dormy House Hotel, a five-minute drive up the hill from Broadway. The cooking is creative, showcasing forward-thinking culinary styles and just a hint of theatre. The interactive eight-course menu is served to just eight diners at any one time with sustainability and seasonality taking centre stage. Alternatively, the grand 16th century dining hall at the Lygon Arms is a very special spot. For something a little more laid back, the Childswickham Inn and Brasserie is a lovely option and just a few miles out of Broadway.

Broadway is a pretty chilled place after dark, but if you are in the mood for an evening nightcap then the atmospheric charms of the Crown and Trumpet, a charming Cotswold pub with wooden beams and an open fire, are hard to walk past. Alternatively, the Wine Bar at the Lygon Arms is a tiny place with lots of character and an impressive wine list by the glass.

Sunday

Walk off any Saturday night cobwebs with a hike up to Broadway Tower. This iconic landmark can be spotted from miles around. It’s the highest point in the Cotswolds, and on a clear day you can see as far as Wales. E-bikes are available for hire or simply take your time exploring the 50-acre estate including a resident herd of red deer. The climb up is steep in parts, but the subsequent views are the perfect reward. At the top, head to the Morris & Brown Café for sustenance. They serve breakfast until 11.30am and lunch until 4pm. The honey bee hot chocolate is worth the climb alone and it’s all downhill on the way back to Broadway.

Enjoy some time just to browse the shops and boutiques tucked along the main street. Cotswold Trading is a Broadway staple that has been sourcing beautiful and stylish gifts and homewares for more than twenty years. A little further along you’ll find OKA’s flagship store, a magical treasure trove of all things interior design.

If you are in the mood for a Sunday lunch before heading off then Russell’s in the heart of Broadway is a good option, or if you prefer the idea of a traditional Cotswold pub, then the Mount at Stanton or the Churchill Arms in Paxford are worth a look.