Broadway really was unleashed in its current form when the bypass opened in 1998, immediately transforming a busy High Street on a major trunk road into a no-through road in peaceful slumber – one can only imagine the change (not to mention the value!) that those residents saw overnight. What’s left is possibly the definitive High Street scene, looking up towards the escarpment now, from Leamington Road, it really is picture-book delicious. The architectural variety on show in the ‘Upper High Street’ really is a feast for the eyes. There are still plenty of old signs from a recently more commercial past, where owners of property have retained the shop frontage or the Victorian awning – just a hint to the past.
At Christmas it comes into its own, the grand house on the High Street and the SnowshillRoad and the delicately pretty St Eadburgha’s church on the same road, it looks like an English village in winter should look.
The highlights of the slightly inclined, impossibly pretty High Street keep on coming. The centrepiece is The Lygon Arms, where James Martin has his Grill & Tavern and the building stands above all others, save the church of St Michael and All Angels. We’ve followed the Cotswolds’ brief foray into Worcestershire now and the architecture hints at this, with part red-bricked cottages, black and white timbers and thatches and more. I’ve always felt, whilst walking around this part of the countryside, that there is an innate ancient feel to the land surrounding the town, and on closer research, it transpires that there are records of the Beaker People making settlement here as early as 1900BCE – incredible.
Chocolate Box as the main thoroughfare may be, Broadway has a reassuring local community which is active and varied. There is a decent level of housing, a primary school, and it is very easy to get to nearby villages (Willersey, Aston sub Edge etc) but also nearby towns like Chipping Campden and Evesham. Down by the filling station (yes, it has one of those too!) you’ll find the Broadway Stop on the fabulous Gloucester Warwickshire heritage railway line. A must for anyone from 3 to 103.
Churches in Broadway
St Michaels & All Angels – https://www.stmichaelsbroadway.org/
St Eadburgha’s Church – https://www.stmichaelsbroadway.org/
St Saviour’s Catholic Church – https://www.catholiceveshamandbroadway.org/
United Reformed Church – https://broadwayurc-worcs.org.uk/
