Broadway Tower & Park: A Wonderful Day Out In The Cotswolds

A ‘quintessentially English country destination’, Broadway Tower and Park is a great place to visit during your Cotswolds stay.

There’s a range of things to do at Broadway Tower, including a guided tour of the nuclear bunker, exploring the Tower Museum or engaging in some retail therapy at Tower Barn.

An Historic Day Out Just 60 Minutes (35 miles) Drive From The Victoria Arms

After your day out at Broadway Tower and Park, pay a visit to The Victoria Arms in Old Marston for a delicious meal and to see what award-winning Butcombe beers we have available.

The History Of Broadway Tower

Broadway Tower has a history dating back to the late 18th century when it was first designed by landscape architects Capability Brown and James Wyatt.

Beacon Hill, where Broadway Tower stands, is the second-highest point in the Cotswolds, making for stunning views across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With the tower itself standing at 65ft high, it dominates the skyline as far as the eye can see.

Find out more about the history of Broadway Tower (opens in a new window)

Tower Barn At Broadway Tower

Tower Barn is the visitor centre at Broadway Tower.

There is a cosy espresso bar/restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, which can be enjoyed while taking in the beautiful views of the Cotswolds.

In the boutique shop you will find unique items of clothing or a personal gift for that someone special or, at certain times of the year, you can attend one of the courses or workshops and learn a new skill. Previous events have included candle making, wool sculpture and Christmas wreath creation.

The Nuclear Bunker Experience

Lying fifteen feet below the ground, the former monitoring bunker on the Broadway Tower Estate was built to study and report the effects of nuclear fallout and was one of many positioned all over the United Kingdom.

Once manned by members of the Royal Observer Corp, the bunker was closed in 1991 and has since been fully restored.

Now serving as a tourist attraction, visitors are invited to spend 45 minutes below ground on the guided tour and experience what life would have been like if the Cold War had ever escalated into a greater conflict.

Broadway Tower Circular Walk

Broadway Tower is also a pleasant walking route in the Cotswolds, with a circular walk of 1.2 km, taking around 20 minutes.

During the Broadway Tower Circular Walk you’ll see the wild deer in the Deer Park, stop by the Tower Barn for some retail therapy, visit the Tower itself and walk past the Nuclear Bunker and War Memorial.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads, so you can bring your four-legged friend as well.

Find out more about the Broadway Tower Circular Walk (opens in a new window)

The Cafe At Broadway Tower

Named after William Morris and Capability Brown, the Morris & Brown Cafe is at the heart of the Broadway Tower Estate and is the first thing to greet you on arrival.

Offering delicious breakfasts, lunches and afternoon snacks, the Morris & Brown Cafe also offers a tempting range of homemade cakes.

In the summer months, a chilled glass of white wine on the terrace can be the perfect end to your visit, while the colder months sees the popularity of the log fire and hazelnut hot chocolate increase massively!

Bike Rental At Broadway Tower

Available at the Tower Barn, visitors are invited to hire e-bikes from Broadway Tower’s e-biking partner, Moustache.

The bikes can be hired on an hourly basis, so you can go for a short trip to see something specific, or a full tour of the surrounding area.

With bikes available from 10am-4pm every day, you can plan a trip that suits you.

Directions To The Victoria Arms From Broadway Tower And Park

Situated on the banks of the River Cherwell in Old Marston, The Victoria Arms is a stunning riverside pub and restaurant with mooring available for punts on the River Cherwell.

To reach The Victoria Arms from Broadway Tower & Park, you must head north-east on Buckle Street and turn right onto the A44. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Fosse Way/High Street/A429 and then, at the next roundabout, take the exit onto Oxford Street (A44). Continue to follow the A44 for approximately 8 miles before taking the 2nd exit at the roundabout onto London Road (A44).

Turn right onto the A44 and continue for 11 miles and then, at Bladon Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Woodstock Road (A44). At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Woodstock Road (A44).

At Loop Farm Roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Woodstock Road (A44) and then, at Peartree Roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Woodstock Road (A44). At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto North Way/Sunderland Avenue/A40 and then, at the final roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Elsfield Way/North Way/A40 before exiting towards Marston/Elsfield.

Take Marsh Lane, Elsfield Road and Mill Lane before turning left, where you will find The Victoria Arms on your right.