Broadway Tower sits on the second highest point of the Cotswolds Ridge, providing spectacular views of up to thirteen counties
Broadway Tower was built in 1799 from designs by the renowned architect, James Wyatt for the sixth Earl of Coventry as a Gothic folly to his existing Springhill Estate. It may have been a signalling or watch tower at some point as it stands on ground at 1024 feet (312 metres) above sea level and therefore has spectacular views. This makes it the second highest point on the Cotswolds Ridge, after Cleeve Cloud near Winchcombe at 1083 feet (330 metres.)
The impressive height of the ridge at this point allows the visitor to survey an enormous area, covering up to thirteen counties in a 360 degree view. The whole of the Vales of Evesham and Gloucester are clearly visible, but on a clear day it is also possible to see as far as the Welsh Mountains. The views alone are worth the trip, but for those who enjoy walking, there are stunning routes in the surrounding Broadway Tower Country Park where visitors can view wild flowers and other wildlife.
The Tower has a colourful history, having been used at various points by several famous folk. Sir Thomas Phillips, the well-known antiquarian and book collector who assembled the largest collection of manuscript material in the 19th century, used it to store part of his world-famous collection.pioneersWilliam Morris, Rossetti and Edward Burne-Jones also made use of the tower, with Morris making it his country retreat.
There are currently exhibitions in the Tower that detail information about these past inhabitants and about the history of the Tower itself and its surrounding area. There is a Morris Room as one exhibit, furnished with some of William Morris' own designs.