The Lygon Arms Hotel in England’s Broadway region is a history-steeped inn with centuries-old stone fireplaces, rich wood paneling from the 1600s, and a guestbook that has included everyone from Oliver Cromwell to Elizabeth Taylor.
Accommodations range from sumptuous suites to quirky spaces tucked beneath the eaves of the original coaching house, which dates from the sixteenth century. Its original name, the White Hart, was a nod to the heraldic symbol of Richard II.
Guests may dine under the soaring vaulted ceiling of the Great Hall or choose from several other cozier spots, such as a charm-laden dining room with views of the High Street. A cobblestone courtyard is a favorite gathering place when the weather is warm.
Seasonal menus are offered throughout the year, and the hotel’s farm provides lamb and beef. Locally sourced vegetables hail from the Vale of Evesham, which is known as the fruit and vegetable basket of England. A full range of desserts, or puddings, provide a sweet end to a traditional British meal.
Centrally located in the town of Broadway, the Lygon Arms is less than a half-hour’s drive to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Also within close range are Warwick Castle, the Hidcote Manor National Trust gardens, and the lovely Malvern Hills, where visitors can take advantage of scenic views by bicycle, on foot, or on horseback.
Photography and Styling Jane Hope
To discover more sweet escapes in the Cotswolds, see “An Afternoon in the Cotswolds” on page 23 in the September 2017 issue of Victoria magazine.
