A Few Thoughts On Getting Up Off Your Arse And Turning Your Television Off
Howling winds and heavy skies.
Perfect weather for getting out into the countryside and exploring.
Perfect weather for exploring a place like the Cotswolds.
We decided to follow a planned walk on our recent, rather short, visit to this beautiful and surprisingly hilly place just outside Broadway. Only just over 6 miles in length and up some rather steep footpaths, the walk was not too much of a workout but it was stunning. We managed to successfully dodge the showers and meandered across hilltops with breathtaking views and then down into the town itself.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Broadway is the most historic and, arguably, the most picturesque of all the towns in the Cotswolds. The town grew with the increase in travel by stage coach in the 1500's and was well situated for regular stops on the coaching route between London and Worcester. You can probably tell how strategic and important a place is when you find out that King Charles I conferred with his troops in the area during the Civil War and Oliver Cromwell stayed in the main pub, The Lygon Arms, that is still located on the High Street.
What I found particularly interesting was the connection between Broadway and a number of well known artistic and literary figures. Broadway Tower, which is located on a hill just outside town (where you can allegedly see 16 counties when the weather is clear, apparently) was where William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, all with connections to the pre-Raphaelite movement, used to stay and work in the 1870's.
Their connections drew many others from an artistic background to the area, including John Singer Sargent, J.M. Barrie, Francis Millett and Mary Anderson, and they all settled down and became residents, frequently inviting further well known friends to stay and party, apparently much to the annoyance of many of the locals.
Our walk took us up to and past the rather peculiar looking tower with the most spectacular of views. It was open to the public and the car park was full, so I suspect many tourists visit without making the effort to walk up the hill!
We paused frequently for photographs but I fear that none will do justice to the fields of swaying wild flowers backed by moody hills and heavy clouds that we experienced.
As we mentioned on a number of occasions whilst we walked, those either unlucky enough or just unwilling to venture out and walk in places like this really do miss out on so much. There are so many things to discover simply by getting outside and exploring.
I believe that life only gives you so many opportunities to see the world in all of its glory and it would have almost felt criminal not to grab this one.
