Broadway Country House Holidays

Newsletter - December 2006

Special Offers - Late Availability

We are offering spring breaks at a 20% reduction on the standard weekly rate for January 2007.
Come and stay within the beautiful tranquil grounds of our Regency Gentleman's residence. Once home to the Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire and High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire who landscaped the gardens shortly before marrying his young wife, a relative of Earl Russell.

Situated at the base of Todleth Hill with access to an historic stone circle, hillside walks, and a nature reserve directly from the garden. Come and enjoy a walking break amidst the South Shropshire and Montgomeryshire hills.

Quote reference JB01 when booking.

SPECIAL OFFERS View our Special Offers webpage for further details.

Local Events

As usual there is plenty to bring you to Shropshire and Montgomeryshire in the Summer, detailed below are some of the highlights. Please follow the link to see further details of these events and others.

If history interests you there are numerous events in the next three months that will appeal to you. Experience the Siege of Stokesay Castle; Meandering Monks at Wenlock Priory; Roaming Romans and the Roman Festival at Wroxeter Roman City. Take party in Queen Victoria's Birthday Celebration at Blists Hills Victorian Town. Or try the romance of steam train travel in true 1920's style along the Banwy Valley on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, or in the 1940's Weekend on the Severn Valley Railway.

Shropshire and mid Wales are renowned for cultural festivals with the Bishops Castle Folk Festival in June; the Guardian Hay Festival in May/ June; and the Ludlow Festival in June/ July. The Ludlow Festival features open-air Shakespearean productions in the ruins of Ludlow Castle, plus, children's events, literary weekend, opera, dance, talks, exhibitions, street festival, tours, and all sorts of music, culminating in a firework finale in the Outer Bailey of Ludlow Castle. You can also watch the Taming of the Shrew at Powys Castle or Hamlet at Wenlock Priory. And of course we have the International Eisteddfod in July and the National Eisteddfod in July / August. Last but not least is the very popular Bishops Castle Real Ale Festival.

A broad spectrum of music events take place in July with The Ludlow Jazz Festival and The Welshpool Country and Western Festival. Also in July Evelyn Glennie appears at Ludlow's St Laurence's Church.

Get close to nature at Lake Vyrnwy with Owl Pellet Detectives; Migrant Discovery Walk; Dawn Chorus and Breakfast Baps; Nature Walk; Hearty Healthy Walk; Mini Beast Safari; Birding with Bikes; Dippy about Dippers; National Mammal Week - Mammal Tracking; Dragonfly Fun, and Bonkers about Bats and Owls. All these events are hosted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

EVENTS View our Events webpage for further details.

Renovation of the Lodge

When we came to Broadway House in 1998 the Lodge was completely derelict. We commenced a restoration that took almost a year to complete and culminated with our first letting as a holiday cottage in February 2001. The Lodge has a long history and during the restoration work we discovered many interesting features. Converting a 17th century cottage into a property that is suitable for living in today was challenging. Creating extra head room throughout was a key aspect of this work along with wherever possible retaining the original character of the cottage.

RENOVATION PROJECTS Follow this link if you would like to read more about the renovation.

House History

Our research into the history of Broadway House continues and below are details of two areas we have recently collated. Full details are available on our website if you follow the links below.

Memories are Made of This

The Churchstoke Recorders are a group of local residents who for many years have acted as guardians of local history for Churchstoke, occasionally publishing books detailing their findings. In their book Memories are Made of This they record that during the First World War Broadway House was used as a V.A.D. convalescence home for injured soldiers. The following verse was recorded in the visitors book for Broadway House by a soldier staying here at that time.

When I am gone away,
And far across the foam,
I shall think of the happy times,
We spent at Broadway Home."

MEMORIES Follow this link if you would like to read more about what the Churchstoke recorders have written about Broadway House.

Census Returns

At the time of the first detailed census in 1841 Broadway House was occupied by John Owen, a 50 year old man of independent means, along with an agricultural labourer and his dependents. There is no mention of any domestic staff living at the house, although at that time the gentrification of the house had already occurred.

By the time of the 1851 census the situation at Broadway House had changed dramatically with John Owen now 60 and married to a younger wife, Isabella Ann Owen, aged 33 years, but also now describing himself as a Land Proprietor and Magistrate. The improvement in the fortunes of John Owen is illustrated by the fact that he now has a substantial number of domestic servants, including 3 house servants, a groom and a footman.

CENSUS RETURNS Follow this link if you would like to read more about the Census Returns for Broadway House.