Broadway in the Cotswolds

Our Cotswold holiday cottages are rurally located in West End, the oldest area of the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds National Landscape. Situated in the grounds of The Manor House, our cottages are just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the village. The cottages are open all year round and offer well appointed holiday accommodation for 2-4 guests.

Often referred to as Jewel of the Cotswolds and the Show Village of England, Broadway lies at the foot of the Cotswold Hills. The village is steeped in history with its origins dating back to the Romans. Broadway village and the surrounding area, which includes our grounds, is defined as a Conservation Area highlighting the special architectural and historic interests associated with the village. Today the High Street is lined with horse chestnut trees and the honey-coloured building are home to a wide range of independent shops, galleries, designer boutiques, excellent restaurants, and tea and coffee shops – all a few minutes’ walk from our Cotswold holiday cottages (see our Map of Broadway).

Many of Broadway’s buildings, including the Manor House where are our Cotswold holiday cottages are located, date back to the 16th century. By the turn of the 17th century, Broadway had become a busy staging post en-route from Worcester to London as coaches had to harness extra horses for the long pull up Fish Hill. It was at this time that many inns and hostelries opened along the High Street including the famous Lygon Arms Hotel – a great place to enjoy lunc, afternoon tea or dinner.

The arrival of the London to Worcester railway bypassing the village resulted in Broadway becoming a blissfully quiet place. This attracted artists and writers and in the 1880s enabled American artist Francis Millet to rent Farnham House and later Russell House overlooking the village green where John Singer Sargent painted his iconic Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose during the summers of 1885 and 1886. Many more artists and writers such as Sir J.M. Barrie, Henry James, Edwin Austin Abbey, Mary Anderson de Navarro, Alfred Parsons, Frederick Barnard and Edward Elgar, the Broadway Colony, all found inspiration from the natural beauty of the village. Biennially the Broadway Arts Festival celebrates Broadway’s rich artistic heritage (the next Festival will hopefully take place in June 2021).

Our Cotswold holiday cottages are an ideal base for exploring the village and other areas of the Cotswolds. Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham Spa, Worcester, Oxford and Bath are all within easy access. We have an abundance of information leaflets detailing all you need to know about local attractions in Broadway and throughout the Cotswolds so that our guests can plan their visit at leisure. Broadway Tourist Information Centre, located in Russell Square in the centre of the village, is open throughout the year (closed Christmas Eve until February half term).