Broadway Tower

	Front of Tower Image from Wikipedia Click on image to see a larger version
	Back of tower with entrance and view Image from Wikipedia  Click on image to see a larger version

Broadway Tower is one of Britain's most picturesque follies and best viewpoints. A tower that stands on the second highest point on the Cotswolds ridge, 1024, 312m above sea level. It's a spectacular viewpoint and its said that on the right day you can see 13 counties from the top.

The tower itself stands 55 feet (17 metres) high and resembles a mock castle. Built in 1799, it is a perfect example of an eighteenth century Gothic folly. It was built in 1797 by the 6th Earl of Coventry, George William, for his wife. She wanted an impressive tower on which she could place a beacon that could be seen from her house 22 miles away at Worcester, the hilltop having long been used as a beacon point.

The architect was one of the leading names of the time, James Wyatt, Broadway Tower being a departure from his normal Gothic style. He was at the height of his career at this time, having been made the surveyor of Westminster Abbey in 1776 and was a friend of King George.

Today, the Tower houses exhibitions connected with its past and the surrounding area.

Previous occupants have included Sir Thomas Phillips, renowned printer of his time and Pre-Raphaelite artists including designer, writer and craftsman William Morris, who used the Tower as a country retreat. The Morris Room is furnished with some of his more famous designs.

So what is there:-

• 35 acre country park

• Tower, exhibitions and views

• Red deer enclosure with 'Bambies’ from mid June

• Wildlife and wild flowers

• Country walks

• Memorial to a crashed RAF bomber plane from the second world war, very near.

The windows, photo by Philip Halling

Location: Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire Grid Reference: SP113362 Ceremonial County: Worcestershire Map Link: OS Getamap    StreetMap Aerial photo: Google Aerial  Getting there: East of Broadway village, south off the A44 main road at the top of the steep hill Access: Road into country park Website: Own Other Useful Websites: www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk/broadwaytower.html   Wiki     Images on Geograph Email: millhayhouse@aol.com Address: Broadway Tower, Broadway, Worcestershire Postcode: WR12 7LB Telephone: 01386 852390     Opening Times: 10.30am-5.00pm daily All Year, but may vary during inclement weather conditions. Charges: Adult £3.80; Child (4-14yrs) £2.30; Concessions £3.00; Family £10.00 (2+2 4-14yrs) Nearby Locations:  Broadway village, known for its art gallery shops. Other Location Pages: Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington, Glos List of Follies in the UK  Notes: The Cotswold Way runs near and photography from the outside is possible at most times

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