Few places are more instantly recognisable as ‘Cotswolds’ than Broadway village. Our location, in the very south east of Worcestershire, is perfect for the exploration of the north Cotswolds’ other famous villages such as Chipping Campden or Stow-on-the-Wold; and attractions such as Broadway Tower or Hidcote Manor Garden. This blog is all about some of the sightseeing gems available to you if you choose to head in the other direction, to Worcestershire, towards Evesham, Worcester or The Malvern Hills.

Evesham

Historians remember Evesham for The Battle of Evesham in 1265, at which Prince Edward (the future King Edward I) defeated Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester. This was a particularly bloody confrontation, so much so that Robert of Gloucester, a contemporary historian described as the ‘murder of Evesham, for battle it was none’. If you love early English history, try to plan a visit around the time of the extraordinary annual historic festival event in early August. It’s free and features a medieval camp to explore, battle re-enactments, music and craft demonstrations.
https://www.battleofevesham.co.uk/

These days, Evesham’s medieval town centre and churches convey the quiet atmosphere of a peaceful England backwater. The 16th century Bell Tower is the town’s claim to fame — the finest free standing bell tower in England.

The area around Evesham - the Vale of Evesham - is famous for fruit and vegetables. The fruit trees make for a spectacular spring blossom season which is celebrated with an annual Blossom Trail.

Blossom plays a vital role in fruit tree pollination by providing pollen for bees and other helpful insects. Fruiting trees include apples, plums, cherries, peach trees and crab apples. Between March and May, each blossom has its own peak (you can check day-by-day on the displays at https://valeandspa.co.uk/blossom/). Incidentally, the season includes non fruit blossoms such as blackthorn and hawthorn.

About the same time, the Vale of Evesham also comes into its own
with the arrival of Evesham asparagus. The cultivation of asparagus here has a long and honourable history - it really is one of the great things in life.

Worcester is famous for its Norman/Gothic Cathedral, a ‘Three Choirs’ Festival venue. If you do plan a visit, we’d recommend that you stop off in Pershore. Broadway village has reason to be grateful to the Benedictine monks of Pershore Abbey, who owned the land here from the 10th century or earlier. Later they planned out Broadway village as a sort of medieval new town, around 1300.

In nearby Pershore you can visit the The Abbey Church of the Holy Cross. In the pleasant Georgian town centre, do look out for some Pershore plums if they’re in season — the variety is one of the best.

Head due west from Broadway for The Malverns. Like the Cotswolds, the Malvern hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Malvern’s 20 or so hills have a different character though, offering dramatic long views across the Severn Valley on one side, and over to Herefordshire on the other. The sight of the hills rising from the vale is quite dramatic. If you make the journey, you’ll discover over 100 miles of dog-friendly footpaths and bridleways weavong over the hills.

The Malverns are perhaps most famous for associations with Edward Elgar and you can visit the birthplace. By way of contrast, the other big attraction in Malvern is the Morgan Car factory tour.

Worcestershire Historic Houses and Gardens

Hanbury Hall (National Trust)
A William and Mary country house and garden.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/hanbury-hall

Croome Court (National Trust)
A Neo-Palladian Georgian Mansion with an art collection and a ‘Capability’ Brown park — his first landscape project in fact.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/croome

The Firs, Lower Broadheath (National Trust)
The birthplace of Edward Elgar, museum and garden
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/the-firs

Spetchley Park Gardens
These stunning gardens near Worcester reveal an almost unspoiled Victorian woodland setting for gardens which ‘keep on giving’ through the seasons, from Corsican pines to peonies.
https://www.spetchleyparkestate.co.uk/

Witley Court and Gardens (English Heritage)
Romantic Italianate ruins and landscaped gardens make for a romantic atmosphere — and don’t miss the remarkable Perseus and Andromeda fountain.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/witley-court-and-gardens/

Little Malvern Court
Tucked away in the Malvern Hills, Nestled in the Malvern hills, Little Malvern Court occupies 10 acres and is a former Benedictine Priory, owned by the same family since the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Amongst plenty of delights, there is a fine collection of old fashioned roses.
https://littlemalverncourt.co.uk/little-malvern-court-house-tour.html

We hope we’ve persuaded you that there is much more to the area around Broadway than ‘just’ the Cotswolds!! If you’re feeling that you might like to stay with us a little longer in order to explore, we have you covered with hotel offers through the spring and summer.

Alternatively, have you considered one of our village centre rental cottages?

www.broadway-hotel.co.uk