I kept a page open in my browser for two years with a cool tower I wanted to visit. I finally went there last weekend! On return from the trip, the webpage has finally been closed - for good! Very happy I kept it open!
Arriving at the Broadway Tower, there are two parking spaces, but not massive. I can see a struggle on a good day. Parking is not free.
Then, on the way to Broadway Tower, you pass a cafe/shop barn and land with deers munching on hay. The ground here was extra muddy.
Carrying on from this point, you have to enter the other piece of land via the metal gate. But halfway through, you stop by the memorial to the R.A.F. bomber crash, which happened here on the 2nd of June 1943. Sadly and unfortunately, the event occurred while on operational training.
Due to the weather conditions and other aircraft landings, the pilot was forced to complete another circuit. It crashed into the nearby hill.
The day was somewhat cloudy, with sunny spells from time to time. And the weather reflected in the number of visitors surrounding the place. We have queued behind two sets of people and after the scan of the tickets received a personal electronic guide.
The app on the device was quite extensive. It shared the history of the tower and some extra information about the style of those times. And, of course, some fun games for the kids. My 7-year old was surprisingly happy with it and did not complain about the wait.
Climbing up the stairs to the first floor, we semi-entered the dining room. The space for standing was minimal, with four adults occupying the floor already. Behind us, we had another couple on the stairs. Deciding we could climb one level further and return to this one on the way back, we continued to the drawing-room.
Here we have learned that the 2nd floor has been refurbished as a lady sitting room in a Georgian style. For example, the curtains are handmade to reflect the fashion. In fact, all curtains in the tower are handmade and designed specifically for each room.
Once we began listening to the history on the device, it transformed a tower into something new and unexpected. So, from the beginning ...
In the 18th century, the 6th Earl of Coventry, William George, married Lady Barbara. That era was seen as an era of building and landscaping, so he built a Broadway Tower as his token of love to her. Sweet, right?
The tower was built to complement the landscape. It looks Medieval with a touch of magic. AND it is a FOLLY! A new word in my vocabulary. Follies look interesting because they mix different styles. They are not for anything but to look pretty. So technically, it is not a house and not a tower, but it has features of both.
According to the script, the Broadway Tower stands on the second-highest point in Cotswolds, the ancient Beacon Hill. Lady Barbara was interested in seeing the folly from her house in Coventry (the Croom Court). Back then, there were signals sent to the Croom Court staff to alert Lady Barbara's return to prepare food.
Unfortunately, neither she nor William, the husband, lived long enough to enjoy it.
Between the early 19th century and today, the tower was used as a wartime watch post, a living space, a holiday accommodation, a publishing institution.
About it being a holiday accommodation - it happened in 1866, and the owner has pain 9 pounds to redecorate the folly. Imagine, 9 pounds today were insufficient to pay for an adult entry into this folly!
In 1980, the Broadway Tower was purchased by Hans-Eugen Will in a loving gesture to his wife Renate, thus repeating the history. Their daughter, Annette, remembers running around the tower as a kid and thinking of how privileged that was. These days, she continues to care for the folly.
I think I have covered the fascinating story behind the building. So, back to the visit.
On the 3rd floor, there was a library. It has an unusual ceiling with an oval dip by the wing room (if it can be called that way). The windows were round and, like an eye, were looking at the world. Actually, each floor had been designed with different shapes of windows.
The last level in the tower is the roof. Here you can see 16 counties. The locations were marked on each side of the wall. Some were familiar, some not. For example, it was impressive to see Malvern Hills from here.
The device talked about the things you can see here on a clear day and mentioned a bathtub on the roof in the 19th century. I can see this being used in summertime, but not sure about winter. Back then, winters were adequately cold and snowy.
These days, the roof of the Broadway Tower is famous for Marriage proposals. Since the folly was initially built as a token of love, I can see why it would be popular for such activities.
Out of the three turrets, two were with a staircase and one used as storage.
Going down the stairs, I got so dizzy that I had to sit it out on the 1st floor. A staff member hearing my moans, came up to see if I needed any help, saying it happens pretty often. Maybe they should give out a bucket just in case. I can see some people being sick, tbh.
Once you have heard all there is to hear, you start noticing the features on the facade — for example, the shapes of windows, the balconies, the turrets, the gargoyles.
We went for a walk to the nuclear bunker. Unfortunately, it is closed to the public due to the current "C" situation. Locked away behind the metal fence is one of the last Cold War bunkers! It was under the Official Secrets Act until 1991. It would have been cool to see it. Anyway, the surrounding area has made up for it, so it's not too sad.
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Haha I though that I was the only one leaving open pages in the browser for months!
I am glad you did the trip after all, you have taken some pretty amazing pictures too :)
Thank you! I knew I am not the only one 😁 I do the same at work, it's the only way!
what a beautiful lady sitting room, i really like the Georgian style! and everything handmade, so special:) 9 pounds, the inflation is noticeable;) really a nice tower, cool that you went there when it was possible!:)
I agree, handmade is very thoughtful! And the furniture was also quite special.
Yeah, inflation is through the roof 😄
ohhhhh.... I love this
I saw this on a TV programme last year (or the year before? watched so much TV during lockdown) and said I wanted to visit this. Now there is a greater urge to go!
Go-go-go! It is a fascinating Folly! And there is plenty for the whole day. Behind the nuclear bunker, there is a quarry I forgot about.
And try to bring binoculars. The view from the top of the tower is sublime! We were gutted we did not have them with us. You will love it!
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It must have been a great experience sipping coffee on these tables and chairs. Greetings from the Philippines!
I think it would have been great in the summer. On the day of the visit, it was rather cold. We sat inside. But I did see a few people enjoying a drink outside. 🙂
The craftsmanship on those old furniture is just amazing.
I couldn't help but imagine someone on top of the tower seeing a guy running down the field with a sword in handsand, just like that scene in Monty Python where the guy runs runs runs and never arrives.
I agree the furniture was very fine! I would have taken it home but they said no 😪
Did they? hahHHAahah maybe if you take one each time they won't notice!
Woah! I just got back from The Costwolds and didn't get to visit this tower even though I could see it from outside my chalet! Next time :)
Ahhh, don't worry, summertime should be nicer and greener.
Cotswolds is so beautiful, really underrated part of England.
Amazing! The pic from the window is so nice.