Broadway Tower
near Broadway, in Worcestershire
Broadway Tower lies
prominently on top of a hill close to, and overlooking, the
village of Broadway in Worcestershire. It was built for the 6th
Earl of Coventry as a folly on his Springhill Estate, and was
completed in 1799. The Tower is in the shape of a castle. It is
65 feet tall and its top (at 1089 feet above sea level) is said
to be the highest point in the Cotswolds.
As with so many follies or curiosities, more than one reason has
been given for its creation. The most likely is that it was used
long ago as a signalling beacon since it was visible both from
Springhill and also from Croome Court, another family estate some
20 miles away near Worcester.
In later years Broadway Tower was used as a holiday home. One
occupant was William Morris, relatively well known (amongst other
achievements) for designing fashionable wallpaper - some of which
can be seen inside the Tower today.
Close to Broadway Tower is a memorial to the crew of 5 of a Royal
Air Force Whitley Bomber, killed when it crashed here during an
operational training flight on June 2nd 1943.
