THE COTSWOLDS - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 444

furnished in classic English country style, with plenty of flowery bedspreads and
curtains, red carpets, and cozy armchairs; one has a four-poster bed. Rooms 17 and
18—the smallest in the hotel—share a private bathroom.
The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 1AB. www.stowlodge.co.uk.
& 01451/830485. Fax [phone] units. £85-£137 double. Rates include English breakfast. MC,
V. Free parking. Closed Dec 16-Jan 25. No children 4 and under. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room
service, Wi-Fi (free in lounge). In room: TV, hair dryer.
MODERATE
Mole End This is consistently rated Stow's top B&B, with spacious, luxurious
rooms decked out like a Victorian dolls house. Owners Trevor and Jane are incredibly
thoughtful hosts, and the breakfasts will have you feeling warm and happy the entire
day. Mole End is about a 10-minute walk from the market square on the edge of
town, with open views of the surrounding country.
Moreton Rd., Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1EG. www.moleendstow.co.uk. & 01451/
870348. 3 units. £80-£105 double. Rates include English breakfast. MC, V. Free parking. In room: TV,
hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).

11

BROADWAY
15 miles SW of Stratford-upon-Avon; 93 miles NW of London; 15 miles NE of Cheltenham
The Cotswolds is blessed with many beautiful villages, but Broadway is especially
charming. Flanked by stone cottages and chestnut trees overlooking the Vale of Eve-
sham, its High Street is a real gem, remarkable for its harmonious style and design.
It tends to get swamped by coach tours in the summer, of course, and once you've
walked up and down the main street, you've done Broadway. Yet most of the tourists
are gone by evening and many prime attractions of the Cotswolds, and Shakespeare
Country (p. 453), are nearby, making this an appealing alternative to Stow as a base
for exploring the region.
Essentials
GETTING THERE The nearest train stations are at Moreton-in-Marsh (7 miles
away) or at Evesham (5 miles away). Buses to Broadway are infrequent, however, so
it's best to take a taxi from either place (try Cotswold Horizons; & 01386/858599 ).
If you're driving from Oxford, head west on the A40, and then take the A44 to
Woodstock, Chipping Norton, and Moreton-in-Marsh.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Tourist Information Centre is at Unit 14,
Russell Square ( & 01386/852937; www.beautifulbroadway.com). The office is
open year-round Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 2 to 5pm.
Exploring the Area
Broadway's High Street is one of the most beautiful in England. Many of its
striking facades date from 1620 or a century or two later. The most famous is that of
the Lygon Arms (see below), a venerable inn that has been serving wayfarers since
1532. Even if you're not staying here, you may want to visit for a meal or a drink.
Broadway Tower OBSERVATION POINT On the outskirts of Broadway stands
this whimsical folly, created by Capability Brown for the 6th Earl of Coventry in
1798. You can climb the 17-m (55-ft.) tower on a clear day for a panoramic vista of
12 shires. It's the second highest point (312m/1,024 ft.), and the most awe-inspiring