Broadway Tower

Hi there!

Thank you for this feedback!
I modified some parts of the description following what you explained. Do not hesitate to share some more details as the tracks and landscapes evolve with time.

Enjoy your hikes

Date of walk : 25/12/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I discovered that this route is not exclusive to Visorando but actually an official Cotswold Way Circular Walk and, as such, waymarked. Fortunately I had both route descriptions as the Visorando one is not a patch on the official National Trail publication with the exception that Visorando has a proper OS map rather than a diagrammatic map. Visorando also keeps referring to a "portico" when there are no buildings nearby. I think they possibly mean kissing gate rather than a variety of porch.

We completed the route on Boxing Day 2021 and the first section across the fields to Snowshill Road was very wet and boggy (as mentioned in the instructions). However the climb up Coneygreen Lane is gravel and much better albeit that's where it climbs relentlessly. The views are stunning as you gain height; even better on a clear day. Neither route description is of much help once you reach the top as the whole area has now been developed and the tower itself enclosed with a fence. Although there was free access on the day we went, it may be that you will need to detour around it. As a result of the fencing, we ended up missing our turning and continued along the Cotswold Way towards Chipping Camden instead of turning left towards Broadway.

We were later told that the official route down steps was really slippery and best avoided in wet weather, so possibly a lucky escape. Our revised route took us across Fish Hill then following the pedestrian path downhill and finally crossing back over to meet a remnant of the old A44 which, before the bypass, would have taken all the road traffic through the village. It's now signposted as a cycle route. Although this added over a mile to the route, the now truncated High Street section is delightful, very quiet and has some of the most picturesque Cotswold stone buildings around. The crowds of tourists that throng this lovely village rarely venture along this stretch which is residential and has no shops.

All in all, this is a great walk but be prepared for mud in the first section during the winter months and a long slog to the top. Take care at the top. The path you want is sharp left alongside a drystone wall and NOT through a kissing gate (waymarked Cotswold way) ahead into a field. When you finally arrive back in the High Street, if you have any energy left, I would heartily recommend that you turn right and explore the lesser known part of the village before finally heading back into the centre.

Date of walk : 01/07/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Started from Broadway Tower instead of Broadway town and took a shorter route back up that went through fields with livestock. Would have been better sticking to the route!

Date of walk : 04/06/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Although I was able to complete the walk with not too much difficulty there were a couple of issues that we had regarding directions. After passing through the first village and heading towards the church the directions were not very clear, and instead of taking a direction 45 degrees to the left of the cemetery from the rear of the first church and walking in a line directly towards the second church, it appeared we were signposted to follow the path in a direct line ahead parallel to the cemetery which led us uphill and left of the church by approximately 200 yards.

Secondly, after reaching the viewing point the directions were not very clear walking towards Chipping Camden and we walked too far across the crest by a couple of hundred yards, which led us down to a farm. We then had to turn right towards the road before finding the path into Chipping Camden itself. From the viewing point it is advisable to keep your back to the main road and follow an angle of about 45 degrees right and look for a path which hopefully should take you to the road atop of the path to Chipping Camden.

The direction from Chipping Camden was well signposted out of the village. One minor issue is after leaving the village, walking up the road and taking the footpath on the left up the hill. Once at the top of the hill turn left and follow the path by the road. After about 200 yards there will be a small wooded area ahead. If you walk round to the left of the trees turn right keeping close to the trees themselves then walk straight ahead as if following near to the road on your right. Do not follow the path to your left as this will take you downhill. You need to stay ahead in a straight line and the path is very well marked along a wide track which will eventually take you over a field, a road and another field before meeting the top of fish hill. At fish hill bear right for about 50-75 yards and cross the road from there. This will take you through a small wooded area with the Broadway Tower ahead of you as you leave the trees. From the tower it is a steep walk downhill back to Broadway.

Really enjoyable walk and hope to do it again with friends soon. Chipping Camden is a real treat and there are some lovely tea shops there. We took about 6 hours to complete the walk with lunch and a view of the shops in the village.