Broadway tower
Leaving Bourton-on-the-water in fairly decent time, I thought I’d pop back into Stow-on-the-Wold for at least a cappuccino, but parking was impossible, so I pushed on. Destination, Broadway…another cute village & another step closer to Worcester, where I had another house/pet sitting gig lined up.
I’m getting used to driving here now. I’m still tense & have to pay attention constantly, but that’s not a bad thing. I feel alive on these twisty roads. I feel like I’m really doing something. When I see the sign for Broadway Tower, I decide to take in the landmark before hitting up the town.
Broadway Tower is quite something, beautifully sprouting out of the countryside in Worcestershire county. The monstrosity was complete in 1798, buy landscape designer, Capability Brown. It’s a romantic thing…a home tower of architectural significance that looms over a pre-medieval trading route & beacon hill. Officially, the highest point in the Cotswolds, the viewing platform gives way to breathtaking views of 16 counties & 62 miles in each direction. Each floor of the home is accessed by the dreaded narrow winding staircase, with each holding a different area of the home…first floor is the dining room, the second a sitting room, the third is a bedroom & the top floor is the bathroom with a tiny tub to bathe. A herd of red deer own the pasture directly beside the tower & on the 200 acre estate is also the Morris & Brown Cafe & gift shop, Tower Barn, Nuclear Bunker, Parking lot & the Tower’s park to amble trails & make use of your $25 ticket. You can also rent bikes, if you’re feeling particularly inspired.
I was mostly excited to sit in the cafe & have a cappuccino. Honestly, I have not been able to have a decent cup of coffee when I wake up since arriving in the UK. Everywhere it’s instant coffee! Gag! The cafe is set in a modern building, with vaulted ceilings & the most friendly staff. There was a group of motorcyclists sitting beside me, a group of seven men & one woman, all dressed to the nine’s in touring gear. I caught snippets of a gruff accent, so I thought maybe German. The day was a bit drizzly & I didn’t envy them a bit….they all looked like they were longing for a hot bath. When they stood up to go, zipping zippers, donning backpacks, adjusting helmets, the lone woman of the team turned away from the group, slid her hand inside her jacket & pulled out a small perfume atomizer & angling her head back slightly, spritzed her neck. Seeing her do that, retaining her femininity while among the men, made my heart soar for my soul-sister in Cordura & Gore-Tex. I mentally high-fived her & wished her the absolute best things.
Once properly caffeinated by the Capp, I wandered up to the tower for a look-see. What a spectacle! This odd home built in the late 1700’s….what vision & you can only think arrogance, to build such a thing. I spun in circles making my way up the spiral staircase up to the top viewing deck, stopping to admire each floor that has been completely decked out to look as original as possible, to look out over the gorgeous landscape & closing my eyes for a minute, I imagine spending a month living in the thing.
I had booked an Airbnb in Broadway & check-in was a small window of time, which was mostly annoying but I’m not on any schedule, so I adhered to it.
Another town, another adventure. I wonder what Broadway will hold for me
