Broadway Tower, Cotswolds

What it is and why it matters

The tower was designed by James Wyatt for the 6th Earl of Coventry, with the idea for a tower on the hill linked to Capability Brown. The Earl is said to have built it for his second wife, Lady Barbara, and it could be seen from his nearby homes. Built of local limestone with three round turrets and battlements, it later housed Sir Thomas Phillipps's private printing press between 1822 and 1862. In the later 19th century it became a country retreat for William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite friends including Edward Burne-Jones and Rossetti.

Visiting practicalities

The tower stands in Broadway Tower Country Park above the village of Broadway, with a café named after Morris and a rooftop platform for the views. Nearby is a Cold War bunker, crewed by the Royal Observer Corps to record nuclear activity and kept secret until it was decommissioned in 1991. Guided bunker tours last about 45 minutes and run on weekends and bank holidays from April to October. Allow an hour or two for the tower, park and deer, and pick a clear day for the long views. Check the official website for tickets and times.

Nearby and combining your visit

Broadway village sits below the hill, and the Cotswolds National Landscape publishes a circular walk taking in the tower, so you can walk up from the village rather than drive. The tower also lies close to the Cotswold Way national trail.

Highlights

• Folly built in 1798 to a design by James Wyatt
• Rooftop views over up to 16 counties
• Herd of red deer in the country park
• Cold War nuclear bunker, decommissioned in 1991
• Retreat for William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite artists

Good to know

• Bunker tours run at weekends and bank holidays from April to October and last about 45 minutes.
• Views are weather-dependent, so a clear day is best.
• A circular walk from Broadway village takes in the tower.

Frequently asked questions