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Pictures of Snowshill

in the county of Gloucestershire

Snowshill, Gloucestershire

About Snowshill

For anyone looking for a peaceful retreat in which to spend a few idyllic days in glorious countryside, could do no better that visit the picturesque village of Snowshill, high on the Cotswold escarpment above Broadway and the old town of Evesham. It lies in a sheltered position, surrounded by fields of fragrant, vibrant lavender, and rich meadows full of lazy cattle and frisky lambs

Snowshill is the home of the famous manor house, now in possession of the National trust, which was formerly the home of Charles Paget Wade, an eccentric craftsman of the 20th century. The manor dates from between the 15th and 16th century. In historic terms the manor was once owned by Winchcombe Abbey, following the Dissolution it passed to the Crown and was later given by Henry VIII to Katherine Parr. Over the following centuries the ownership of the manor fluctuated between many owners and tenants, until in 1919 when it was bought by Charles Paget Wade. By this time it was little more than a shell like building, but Wade, enchanted with the setting of the house, saw immediately its huge possibilities, thus he set about lovingly restoring it back to its former glory.

Wade was a versatile man, he was a trained architect and craftsman who had inherited a fortune from his father's Sugar plantation in the West Indies. He loved the manor, it gave him the perfect place for displaying the huge amount of artefacts he had collected over the years and he spent many happy house arranging and re-arranging his prize possessions. He also laid out the magnificent gardens, these had been left untended for decades. Interestingly, it seems Wade preferred to live in the Priests house in the Courtyard, rather than the manor itself. In 1951, Charles Wade passed the manor with its bewildering collection of antiquities, to the National Trust, both house and the garden are open to the public, they give a charming glimpse of the life of yester-year and make a very worthwhile visit.

At certain times of the year the lavender fields of Snowshill Lavender Farm rival any of those to be seen in Provence. They are exquisite, with line after line of perfectly formed plants in every shade of purple filling the air with their powerful aroma. The farm provides visitors with the opportunity to purchase the plants and to visit its retail outlet and restaurant. In the shop you will discover a vast array of goods, including lavender based toiletries and perfume.

The village church is from the 19th century with parts of the previous church incorporated into the building. It is not as stunning as some of the more famous Cotswold "Wool" churches, but is worth a wander. If you have the time, take a glance around the churchyard, this contains the burial place of Charles Paget Wade.

Snowshill is an attractive village, its homes are all built of mellow, glowing Cotswold stone, all beautifully positioned around the village and dotted amongst the adjacent richly wooded countryside. After a stroll, why not call in to the hospitable Snowshill Arms Pub, here you can enjoy a refreshing drink and tasty meals.

This is an ideal place from which to explore surrounding Cotswold towns and villages, Broadway with its famous tower is within easy reach, also Upper and Lower Slaughter, and Stow-on-the-Wold.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Snowshill

Snowshill Manor(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)Pictures
Broadway Tower and Animal Park(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
Hailes Abbey(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SW)Pictures
Batsford Park Arboretum(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction E)Pictures
Sudeley Castle(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
The Fleece Inn(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Evesham Abbey(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Hidcote Manor Garden(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
Kiftsgate Court Garden(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
Parish Church of St Edward(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction SE)Pictures
Middle Littleton Tithe Barn(8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction N)Pictures
Evesham Country Park(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NW)Pictures
Birdland(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction SE)Pictures
Bourton on the Water Model Village(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction SE)Pictures
Chastleton House(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction E)Pictures

All attractions in Snowshill
All attractions in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Snowshill

Broadway, a Picturesque Village in the county of Worcestershire (2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction N)
The village of Broadway in the Cotswolds richly deserves the prestige of being the "show village of England"
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bourton-on-the-Hill, in the county of Gloucestershire (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction E)
Highly picturesque, but tiny, the village has only one public house - The Horse and Groom, which serves Real Ale, a good selection of wines and tasty food.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chipping Campden, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction NE)
Immediately appealing, this is certainly one of the most picturesque small towns in the northern reaches of the Cotswolds
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sedgeberrow, in the county of Worcestershire (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction NW)
The countryside is mostly laid to farmlands full of ripened corn and across the rolling landscape there are grassy meadows grazed by sleepy cattle and sheep.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winchcombe, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SW)
To experience the quintessentially English town of Winchcome, is to part-take of a miscellany of pure delights.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upper Swell, in the county of Gloucestershire (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE)
One of the handsome properties to be seen in this village was worked upon by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and Abbotswood is said to have been his major work in the Cotswolds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ebrington, in the county of Gloucestershire (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE)
The village of Ebrington shines like a jewel in a golden crown, its narrow lanes and tiny streets are aglow with beautiful mellow Cotswold stone houses and cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Evesham, in the county of Worcestershire (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NW)
Particularly beautiful in the early spring when it is a mass of blossom, Evesham stands proudly on the river Avon right at the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lower Swell, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE)
The picturesque hamlet of Lower Swell lies amongst some of England's finest natural countryside.
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Mickleton, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upper Slaughter, a Picturesque Village in the county of Gloucestershire (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction SE)
Tranquillity is the keynote for this enchanting hamlet which is best explored on foot.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cleeve Hill, in the county of Gloucestershire (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction SW)
Otherwise known as the Cleeve Cloud, Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds rising to a height of 1083 ft. Spread out below is the town of Cheltenham and its famous Prestbury racecourse, home of the Cheltenham Gold Cup meeting.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stow on the Wold, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SE)
"Stow on the Wold, where the wind blows cold"
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lower Slaughter, a Picturesque Village in the county of Gloucestershire (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SE)
Lower Slaughter is one of the Cotswold's most idyllic villages where you should abandon your car and roam around on foot.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Elmley Castle, in the county of Worcestershire (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction NW)
Elmley Castle is one of the most beautiful villages in England
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Honeybourne Station(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction N)
Moreton-in-Marsh Station(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 9(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction W)
M5 Junction 8(12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction W)
Birmingham International Airport(31.6 miles, 50.8 km, direction N)
Bristol International Airport(56.4 miles, 90.7 km, direction SW)
Snowshill to London(82.0 miles, 131.9 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Snowshill

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Snowshill center
Broadway Classic(2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction N)
The Lygon Arms - A Paramount Signature Hotel(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N)
The Crown Inn(4.3 miles, 6.8 km, direction E)
Red Lion Inn(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NE)
Noel Arms Classic(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NE)
The Kings Arms(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NE)
Cotswold House Hotel(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction NE)
Dumbleton Hall Hotel(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W)
Lower Brook House(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction E)
White Hart Inn(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Snowshill

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