Broadway Tower & Park is a family-owned Cotswold destination set within a 200-acre estate of parkland, allowing visitors to experience great English heritage in an inspiring location

The Tower

The Tower is an iconic landmark on top of the beautiful Cotswolds escarpment. It was the brainchild of the great 18th century landscape designer, “Capability Brown”. His vision was carried out for George William 6th Earl of Coventry with the help of renowned architect James Wyatt and completed in 1798. The location for the Tower was wisely chosen, a dramatic outlook on a pre-medieval trading route and beacon hill.

James Wyatt designed his “Saxon Tower” as an eccentric amalgamation of architectural components ranging from turrets, battlements and gargoyles to balconies.

Tower Experience

Immerse yourself in the story of this eccentric folly with our multi media guide and meet the colourful characters that looked over the parapet of daily life from the Tower. See the splendid Georgian interiors and imagine luxurious 18th Century parties. Entertain children with the guide’s games and stories.

Climb to the roof viewing platform, officially the highest point on the Cotswolds, to find breath-taking views spanning 16 counties and 62 miles in each direction. Who knows, maybe you will have your own inspirations just like the visionaries all this time before you.

Beginnings

Broadway Tower stands on Beacon Hill, the second highest point in the Cotswolds. Rising 312 metres above sea level, the hill was a natural place from which to send long-distance signals and was used for this purpose long before the tower was built such as warning of the advent of the Spanish Armada in May 1588.

The Earl of Coventry

Broadway Tower was the brainchild of the great 18th century landscape designer, “Capabilty Brown”. His vision was carried out for George William, the 6th Earl of Coventry with the help of renowned architect James Wyatt and completed in 1798. The location for the Tower was wisely chosen, a dramatic outlook on a pre-medieval trading route and beacon hill.

The Earl was a wealthy landowner with two Worcestershire residences, at nearby Spring Hill and also Croome Court.

Sir Thomas Phillipps

Built as a folly, Broadway Tower unexpectedly became a workplace when it was acquired by Sir Thomas Phillipps, owner of the nearby Middle Hill House and estate. Phillipps (1792-1872) may well have been the greatest collector of manuscripts and printed books in history. In 1822 he set up a press in the Tower, to issue printed versions of manuscripts and also catalogues of his expanding collection, which he made available to scholars from every corner of the globe. Broadway Tower became known as the Lighthouse of Wisdom.

William Morris

Members of the Arts and Crafts movement used the Tower as a country holiday retreat. Frequent visitors included pre-Raphaelite artists, William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones.

William Morris started his campaign for the preservation of historic monuments whilst staying at the Tower. He was also known as one of England’s leading designers and artists of the 19th century.

Tower Farm

By the early 20th century, Broadway Tower had been converted to a surprisingly humdrum role as a farmhouse. A succession of tenant farmers worked the surrounding land, which became known as Tower Farm.

Royal Observer Corps

The Broadway Tower Observer Post is an above ground Aircraft Observation Building known as an ‘Orlit A’ dating back to WW2 design by Messrs Orlit Ltd. 

The later edition of an underground bunker was made operational in 1960 and used by the ROC to track and record incoming nuclear weapons, locate their blast points and measure how powerful the explosion had been.

1991 saw the end of the Cold War. The Broadway Master Post closed in September 1991 and has been kept in immaculate condition by retired members of the Corps. Tours can be booked. We recommend you check opening times prior to your visit.

A remembrance service is held on 2nd June at 2pm every year to mark the anniversary of the 1943 Whitley Bomber crash at the foot of Broadway Tower where all crew lost their lives.

The Estate Today

1976 marked the first opening of Broadway Tower to visitors on initiative of Lord Dulverton of Batsford Estate. However, the future of the landmark came under threat in 1980, when circumstances led to the sale of Middle Hill estate.

Help arrived from the Will family. Hans-Eugen Will, entrepreneur and passionate aviator, attended the public auction at the Lygon Arms Hotel to bid for the folly as a token of affection for his wife, Renate, who had fallen in love with the building years before. Both cared deeply for the future of the estate and were instrumental in developing a destination surrounding the Tower. His firm belief was that salvation for the building lay in sharing it with the interested public and thus raising the much-needed funds to ensure its future.

Today his daughter, Annette, continues with her family to pursue her parents’ vision. Museum, guided experiences, outdoor living, Cotswold Fayre and inspired shopping offer visitors enjoyment, creating a synergy to preserve our valuable heritage for the next generations.

Circular Walks

Broadway Tower circular walk is 1.2km. Approximately 20 minutes in duration. Wellies or boots may be required in wet weather. Toilets, coffee and shopping available at Tower Barn.

Red Deer at Broadway Tower

Our resident herd of red deer was established by Hans-Eugen Will, Annette’s father, in the early 1980’s. Our stag “Lancelot” is named after Lancelot “Capability” Brown. He is very majestic with impressive branched antlers. There are around eighteen hinds with further youngsters making up the herd. Calves are generally born during the months of June and July. They do not join the herd straight away so you may see a calf in a hiding place.

Lewis Potter lovingly looks after the herd and has done so since 2005. As well as being a recognised authority on deer husbandry and conservation, he is an accomplished gunsmith and expert in black powder fire arms. Lewis has published numerous books and expert articles and is prepared to share his knowledge on deer and wildlife protection with our visitors.

VIP Membership – Broadway Tower

Support the preservation of this historic site by becoming a VIP Member. To say thank you for helping us to preserve Tower & Park members enjoy:

  • Unlimited free visits to the Tower Museum and roof viewing

  • VIP discounts on Nuclear Bunker Tours and Deer Encounters

  • 10% Members discount on all purchases – food and drinks in our cafés, all clothing and gifts all year

  • Oh, and free parking too with an annual parking pass

BUY ANNUAL VIP MEMBERSHIP

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