The Lygon Arms, Broadway: A Luxury Cotswold Hotel Steeped In History And Modern Elegance

There are destinations in the UK that don’t try to shout hard for attention. Instead they simply get noticed through a good helping of heritage, charm and a quiet sense of self. The Lygon Arms is tucked gracefully into the honey-hued vernacular of Broadway in the Cotswolds and it is one such a place.

Seemingly both historically and effortlessly current, The Lygon Arms is a place where the past lingers with pride and the present arrives in fantastically crisp linens. With over seven centuries of history behind it, this hotel has witnessed more than its fair share of notable moments.

None more striking than the fact that both King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell stayed here during the English Civil War. Fierce opponents in life and in politics, their shared connection to this inn is one of those perfect British quirks of history: enemies, unknowingly united by the same set of stone walls, albeit just a couple of years apart.

Fast forward a couple of Century’s or so and you’ll notice that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton found solace within its walls during their famously stormy romance. And in more recent years, names like Hugh Grant, Kylie Minogue and David Beckham have added a little celebrity sparkle to its guestbook. You geta sense that despite the high profile clientele, it remains grounded. Luxurious, yes but not at all flashy.

Once inside, I was met with history and hospitality at its most curated. The food - helmed by none other than James Martin - added a layer of culinary credibility that I was looking for. Martin brings to the Cotswolds what he’s long championed on screen, which is honest, hearty British fare that is elevated with a professionals touch.

Dishes such as the West-Country Lamb and the Faroe Island Salmon arrived with absolute precision and panache, while desserts like the Buttermilk Bavarois prove that perfection can indeed be plated. The dining room itself was also a feast for my eyes. Antler chandeliers hang from vaulted ceilings, heavy panelling envelops you in warmth and portraits of solemn gentry look on approvingly, perhaps a tad jealous of my glass of English sparkling?

Beyond the dining, The Lygon Arms revealed an ever-deepening collection of unexpectedly beautiful nooks and crannies. The lounge, where a fire crackles beneath ancient beams, boasts a hearth that’s likely witnessed more royal drama than a season of The Crown. Just steps away, the glass-roofed spa basks in natural light, offering a tranquil contrast to the inn’s historic heart. 

And outside, the courtyard and classy country garden was a riot of Japanese maples and boxwood which formed a carefully curated wilderness, equally intended for a pot of afternoon tea or a moment of quiet introspection.

My room was a study in comfort. The suite offered a deep plaid fabrics, stout oak beams and a bed that practically insisted upon a nightcap – which I duly accepted. Every detail, from the retro Roberts radio to the plush bathrobes adds up to a stay that manages to be both luxurious and deeply personal.

Come morning, I step from this refined comfort into a Cotswold cobbles, only to be met by my transport which actually shares much of the hotels ethos. Like The Lygon Arms, the Land Cruiser knows exactly what it is and makes no apology for being so.

I found something very reassuring in the dimensions. Its broad shoulders and clean, unfussy lines signal purpose. It’s certainly a machine built for getting places and in this part of the world, that really matters. The country lanes wind and the weather shifts without warning. You need confidence in your vehicle and the Toyota provided that in abundance.

Despite its rugged nature on the outside, the Invincible rides with composure on the inside. It glides through the Cotswold roads with authority and when the tarmac gives way to gravel, it doesn’t even think. This is transport with gravitas. No frills, no frippery, just a relentless commitment to getting the job done well.

And this is what unites The Lygon Arms and the Land Cruiser – it’s not flashiness, but depth. Both are rooted in history (albeit, the Lygon Arms has a little more than the Toyota), both are designed for function and infused with integrity. Neither needs to shout to be heard. They speak quietly but with more than enough resonance.

That evening, the fire dwindled and before long, the breakfast sizzled. I can absolutely confirm that my stay at the Lygon Arms (and the wider village of Broadway for that matter) was truly meaningful.

In a world increasingly obsessed with appearance, The Lygon Arms and the Land Cruiser are content to offer substance. And in doing so, they remind us that true luxury isn’t loud at all. It’s lasting.

https://www.lygonarmshotel.co.uk/