The village of Broadway is known as the ‘jewel of the Cotswolds’
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A pretty village in the Cotswolds has been named as one of the most tranquil staycation spots in the UK. Broadway, often described as the ‘jewel of the Cotswolds’ is fourth on the list of the 50 most peaceful locations in England to enjoy a break.
The list, compiled by CBD retailer Ice Head Shop, took into consideration factors including the number of people posting about it on social media, the population and the amount of activities including bird watching, hiking and fishing trails as well as the local crime rate. The village, with a population of just over 2,500, has long been popular with visitors.
During the civil war Oliver Cromwell spent the night in the village, staying at the Lygon Arms Hotel on the High Street, the night before the Battle of Worcester. King Charles I had previously also used the building to meet and rally his royalist supporters.
Read more: The other royal family in the Cotswolds: Area now home to two Kings and two Queens
The village was originally centred around the old church, St Eadburgh’s and the stream at Bury End and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The current High Street – lined with horse chestnut trees -includes a mixture of period houses and picturesque honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages.
Over the years its offering has grown and the village now boasts a range of eateries, independent shops and galleries. It also has a ‘state of the art’ children’s activity park, Broadway Tower and Broadway Museum and Art Gallery.
The coaching route opened up over Fish Hill in the 1500s and Broadway became a busy stagecoach stop on the route from Worcester to Oxford and London with number of inns built to accommodate travellers.
The village also has an interesting artistic heritage which includes some well known artists, writers, and performing artists such as William Morris, John Singer Sargent, Francis D Millet, J.M. Barrie and Mary Anderson. The village is popular with visitors and has a plethora of accommodation for those wanting to make the most of its peaceful location, from bed and breakfasts to hotels and self catering cottages.
The village also lies on the walking trail The Cotswold Way which runs from the market town of Chipping Campden to Bath.
A post on the village website says: “At the heart of England, The Cotswolds is the largest of 40 areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales, known and appreciated by visitors from all corners of the world. Broadway ~ The Village For All Seasons ~ is beautiful at any time of year.”
Read more: 'Disappointment' as Cotswolds market town misses out on Levelling Up funding
Villages in other parts of the south west also made it into the top 10 of most peaceful places for a staycation including Kingswear in Devon which came in eighth place and Mullion in Cornwall coming in ninth position.
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