Broadway Tower
By Dominique DeLeon
Cotswolds, UK
Dominique is one of the directors of Ebony Hikers, an inclusive community created to inspire, encourage and support people with Black ancestry who are interested in exploring the outdoors. She is an NHS therapist based in Birmingham. Here she hikes with her 15-year-old daughter Amelia.
Route
A great loop that starts and ends in the quaint Broadway Village in Worcestershire. An easy-going route which is suitable to most abilities, with a stunning mix of scenery from grand old houses, to forest trails, to wide open fields and of course - the Tower!
Follow The Route On ALLTRAILS >
4 hour loop
Suburban trail with some elevation
Bring good shoes for mud, water, layers and snacks.
Hiking Key
The Look
Love the colours the Moabs come in.
Moab Speed 2
I have these in low and mid for different hikes.
Moab Speed 2
Field Notes:
This is a great half-day excursion, especially with someone who is still a beginner like my daughter. If you wanted to avoid the elevation you could also simply park at the Tower and Cafe parking itself and wander around, enjoy the views and have lunch. Any amount of walking and getting into the outdoors is good!
Follow Ebony Hikers
Join our Hiking Club
Good To Know
You'll need a ticket to enter the tower which you can buy at the cafe.
"Nature accepts me without judgment."
When To Visit
April till October
Q&A:
How did you become director of Ebony Hikers?
When I was a child my mum used to take us to adventure camps so we were always outdoors. When I had Amelia I also made an effort to spend some time outdoors. But it was really during lockdown that I started to walk more. I met some groups and a friend encouraged me to start leading hikes. The founder of Ebony Hikers, Ingrid, wanted to step down in 2021 and asked if I’d take up the role. So I said yes!
What do you love about Ebony Hikers?
The group has grown so fast and I think it's because there is a need for something local and consistent that removes barriers to entry for hiking. We now have 2 hikes a month and our WhatsApp group has approximately 280 people. I always call the group my extended family - it’s more than just a hiking group, I really care about them. To see people get very involved in the group, gain confidence and grow in their hiking ability is so rewarding.
Do you find being a therapist complements your love of hiking?
Most definitely. I'm a strong believer in staying in the present moment and partaking in pleasurable activities that are meaningful to the individual to enhance their wellbeing. Hiking allows me to engage in rewarding activities that are important to me and give me a sense of purpose. Being outdoors slows me down and helps me understand myself.
Next dream adventure:
Amelia: Hawaii - it would be great to hike in a completely different landscape to the UK.
Dominique: Thailand - it’s on my bucket list to see a lotus flower and meditation is a big
part of my life.
How do you feel when you go hiking?
Dominique: Hiking makes me feel free. It’s not about the end destination but more my connection to nature. I feel connected to the trees both physically and mentally. When walking and
sitting among trees, I feel connected to a living and breathing social network. Nature accepts me without judgment.
Amelia: Hiking makes me feel at peace and takes my mind off
everything. Being in nature fills me with joy and brings out the child in me.
What the one non-safety-essential always in your bag?
I always carry water shoes as I love any opportunity to immerse my feet in water. I also don’t leave the house without my red string that I received from a ranger in Scotland when visiting a fairy site.
HIKING TIPS
- Be safe and plan your route ahead
- Be weather wise, check the forecast
- Take the correct clothing and provisions
- Check if dogs/ camping/ BBQs etc are allowed
- Take your litter with you
- Leave gates as you find them
- Have fun!