History

Broadway House is a handsome Grade II listed Regency "Gentleman's Residence". Once the home of several High Sheriff's of Montgomeryshire and a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire, the principle part of Broadway House dates from around 1820, though some parts are of a much earlier property that was enlarged as the prosperity of agriculture rose.

Along with the short-lived flirtation with Llamas, the house has had a number of guises, including as a convalescent home during the First World War. We have had the pleasure of meeting several visitors from New Zealand whose mother served as a VAD nurse at the house during the Great War. The house itself shows the signs of having been extended many times over the years. The rooms range from small half-timbered pantries with 6 foot beamed ceilings to the very large regency dining room with its 12 foot coffered ceiling. The principle reception rooms, built in 1820, all retain their original oak flooring and window shutters. The shutters in the drawing room bay window are a complicated structure comprising ten separate wooden panels hinged such that they fold in a concertina style. Further evidence of expansion can be seen in the attic space where once external windows now sit within the middle of the building. We believe the older part of the building was in fact separate buildings that have been amalgamated together. Unfortunately, a major fire some 25 years ago destroyed a large part of the upper floor of the house, including we believe a central clock tower.

An interesting aspect of the gardens is the small lake at the front of the house. Originally only a few inches deep the lake was fed from a stream approximately a quarter of a mile away via an underground cast iron water pipe, so that it could be used as an ice skating rink during the winter months. During recent dredging we found a pair of Victorian ice skates on the lake bed, one of which had part of the leather boot hand riveted to the skate. The lake is now fed by a natural spring, but the cast iron pipe is still in place as is the sandstone well and base where a hand operated pump stood to assist with the filling of the lake. The skates are but one of a number of finds in the grounds since we commenced renovation. Others include numerous old farming tools, animal traps, mill stones, a large wagon wheel and even a spear head believed to date from the 1600's.

We are in the process of researching the history of Broadway House by consulting county archive records such as census returns, tithe maps, quarter session records, parish registers and wills. Over time we will publish the results of our research on this web page. If in the meantime you would like to receive details of our latest findings please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter via the link provided.

Latest History Articles :

Memories are Made of This

Census Returns

We are currently undertaking a restoration of this grand house and gardens. Future developments will include the conversion of two original stone barns and a stable into holiday cottages, and the transformation of the main house and gardens to their former glory.

Over time we will be documenting on this web page the restoration work we have carried out to date as well as further details on our ongoing renovations. Again, please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter via the link provided for more information.

Latest Restoration Articles :

Renovation of Broadway Lodge