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Pictures of Snowshill Manor

a Historic Building in the town of Snowshill, in the county of Gloucestershire

Snowshill Manor, Snowshill, Gloucestershire. The Cotswolds

About Snowshill Manor

The romantic atmosphere of Snowshill Manor is made more vibrant by stories of ghostly happenings deep in the past. Given that a manor has existed here since the year 821 when the manor belonged to Winchcombe Abbey, it is easy to find some of the tales quite believable. Included in the list of illustrious owners of Snowshill is Katherine Parr, wife of Henry VIII and one time Queen of England, she received it as a gift from the King. Over the centuries the house was altered and added to but its main body dates from around early in the 16th-century.

In 1919 the house came up for sale, it was in a virtually ruinous state, hidden in a vast wilderness of overgrown plants and trees, in a garden that had lain untended for decades. However, underneath the mire, Wade sensed the old glowing beauty of Snowshill, it appealed to his artistic nature, and so he decided to buy it. His programme of restoration precluded modernity, there were no major alterations, nor additions, neither was there any electricity, Wade much preferred the intimacy of oil lamps and candles. The mellow Cotswold stone of which the manor was built was restored to its former glory, so too was the interior panelling and the elaborate fire-places where in winter Wade burned enormous log fires.

Charles Paget Wade set about filling his home with the same passion and zest he had used for restoring it. Over the years he amassed a collection of every imaginable artefact, these included - armour, toys, tapestries, paintings, clocks, dolls, furniture, marine instruments, musical instruments, costumes, and even bicycles. Within his collection there were many oddities, some said to be quite bizarre! Noted socialites of the day visited the manor, friends included Virginia Woolf, John Betjeman and Graham Green. His great friend J.B. Priestly called Snowshill ' that fantastic manor house' Priestly is said to have visited many times.

All through his life Wade continued to add to his collection, even when he married in 1946 and went to live for the most part in the West Indies, he continually purchased items to be brought back to Snowshill. In 1951 Wade gave Snowshill and its unique collection to the National Trust. By this time he had amassed in excess of 22,000 items and a costume collection numbering some 2,000 pieces. It was his wish that everyone should share in the pleasures derived from real craftsmanship, quality and beauty.

Wade even carried his Arts and Crafts Movement philosophy into the garden, where he set out a delightful theme of individual 'rooms' each in hues of Blue and Purple. Amongst the plantation there is a rich variety of painted garden ornaments, all in a pleasing shade of Blue.

Charles Paget Wade made his final visit to Snowshill whilst on a visit to England in July 1956. He was staying in Broadway when he was taken ill and died. He is buried with other members of his family in the churchyard at Snowshill.

Even today, younger generations of Snowshill talk affectionately of Charles Wade. It seems he was held in high esteem by the local population, it is therefore not surprising to find in Snowshill Manor wafts of the impish character of this unique charismatic man.

Snowshill Manor is in the care of the National Trust and is open to public view. It can be found amid undulating Cotswold scenery in the village of Snowshill, close to the charming town of Broadway.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Snowshill Manor.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Snowshill Manor and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner


Recommended attractions near Snowshill Manor

Broadway Tower and Animal Park(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
Hailes Abbey(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Sudeley Castle(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Batsford Park Arboretum(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction E)Pictures
The Fleece Inn(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction N)Pictures
Evesham Abbey(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW)Pictures
Hidcote Manor Garden(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)Pictures
Kiftsgate Court Garden(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)Pictures
Evesham Country Park(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction N)Pictures
Middle Littleton Tithe Barn(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction N)Pictures

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

Recommended towns near Snowshill Manor

Snowshill, in the county of Gloucestershire (0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Broadway, a Picturesque Village in the county of Worcestershire (2.2 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

Sedgeberrow, in the county of Worcestershire (4.7 miles, 7.5 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

Bourton-on-the-Hill, in the county of Gloucestershire (5.2 miles, 8.4 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 (5.3 miles, 8.5 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

Winchcombe, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)
To experience the quintessentially English town of Winchcome, is to part-take of a miscellany of pure delights.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Evesham, in the county of Worcestershire (6.8 miles, 10.9 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...
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Upper Swell, in the county of Gloucestershire (6.9 miles, 11.1 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 (7.1 miles, 11.4 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

Mickleton, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

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

Nearby travel help

Honeybourne Station(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
Evesham Station(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW)
M5 Junction 9(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction W)
M5 Junction 8(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction W)
Birmingham International Airport(31.5 miles, 50.7 km, direction N)
Bristol International Airport(56.2 miles, 90.4 km, direction SW)
Snowshill Manor to London(82.4 miles, 132.6 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Snowshill Manor

Hotel Name
Broadway Classic(2.1 miles, 3.5 km, direction N)
The Lygon Arms - A Paramount Signature Hotel(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction N)
Dumbleton Hall Hotel(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction W)
The Crown Inn(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction E)
Red Lion Inn(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction NE)
Noel Arms Classic(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NE)
The Kings Arms(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NE)
Cotswold House Hotel(5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction NE)
White Hart Inn(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)
Lower Brook House(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts


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