Snowshill, Cotswolds, UK
Snowshill, is a small a village in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, with a population of fewer than 200 inhabitants. From the classic English houses to historical landmarks and stunning scenery, there’s loads packed into this diminutive village, making it a detour worth taking. The beautiful Cotswold Hills add to the scenic beauty.
What’s in a name?
The name of the village is largely descriptive, as with its much larger neighbour Broadway. Located on the side of Snowshill Hill and near Middle Hill (location of Broadway Tower), the village frequently gets snow during the winter months.
Snowshill History
Snowshill Manor has a medieval history. It was owned by Winchcombe Abbey and passed from hand to hand over the centuries. In 821 King Coenwulf of Mercia gave Snowshill Manor to Winchcombe Abbey, in 1539 it was taken over by King Henry VIII and in 1919 Charles Paget Wade bought the manor and estate.
The eccentric Charles Wade delighted in creating a stage for his life and passions, making Snowshill Manor his unique and unconventional home. He was a great fan of Charles Darwin and painted his name and coat of arms on the dining hall wall. Wade was a collector of oddities and the manor is full of prayer cabinets from the Middle East, Samurai warrior uniforms, weapons, musical instruments and the coats of arms of every monarch since Henry VIII. He donated the manor and estate to the National Trust in 1951. Snowshill Manor Gardens – a garden designed by Wade and Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott.
The manor has since been restored and is open to the public. It is now a Grade II* listed building and owned and managed by the National Trust. The grounds have wildflower fields, outdoor rooms and there’s a war memorial in the church yard.
Just a few short steps away is the tiny village of Snowshill. The village is an ecclesiastical parish. The village has a small church and the Snowshill Arms – a 15th century pub serving real ales. You can also wander around the village and see the idyllic cottages that were once home to the people who worked on the manor estate for over 150 years.
Stone Age Settlements
There is evidence that Snowshill has been occupied since the Bronze Age, and an important collection of artefacts were discovered in the area. Excavations have also found evidence of a Bronze Age settlement in the area. This proves humans have been here since time began. The excavations show the Stone Age Settlements in Snowshill and the significance of the area in prehistory.
Included are bronze pins and other crafts from that time.
Things to Do
Snowshill is a lovely village in the Cotswolds, UK and has plenty to do. From exploring the historic cottages and walking around the green to the aforementioned Snowshill Manor & Garden, nearby Cotswold Lavender Fields and Broadway Tower there’s something for everyone. Additionally, the award-winning Cotswold Farm Park is nearby, where visitors can meet a variety of animals from goats and pigs to rare breeds, rabbits, and sheep.
Snowshill Manor & Garden
Snowshill Manor & Garden is a National Trust property in Gloucestershire. A Cotswold manor house filled with a vast collection of odd and curious objects collected by Charles Wade from all over the world. Visitors can see the collections on display and the outdoor rooms and wild-flower fields. There is a free car park for visitors so it’s easy to get here.
You can also have a cup of tea or coffee in the Snowshill Manor Café run by the National Trust. Snowshill Manor and Garden has seasonal trails and activities for all the family.
Snowshill was the filming location for the winter scenes in Bridget Jones’s Diaries. Visitors can walk in the idyllic village of Snowshill and see the views of the Cotswolds.
Explore the Village
Snowshill village is a pretty Cotswold village with lots to see. The village is a jumble of old cottages surrounding a small church on a green. The village has a pub, The Snowshill Arms, which serves real ales and has a beer garden and kids’ playground. The surrounding countryside offers glorious views from Dover’s Hill, located on a spur of the Cotswold scarp near Chipping Campden.
You can also explore the hamlet, visit Snowshill Manor, walk the planned gardens, visit the lavender fields, visit Broadway Tower and more. You can also walk along the village roads, explore the countryside around Snowshill and visit the nearby villages of Broadway Village and Bourton-on-the-Water and the market town of Chipping Campden.
The iconic red phone box in the centre of the village is a symbol of a bygone age.
If you want to venture a bit further afield, visit the nearby Sudeley Castle and Donnington Brewery. You can also walk the Cotswold Way and see the views of the Severn Vale.
Walk in the Cotswold Lavender Fields
If you want to experience the Cotswolds then a visit to the Cotswold Lavender Fields in the Cotswold Hills is a must during the summer months. Just outside Snowshill the Cotswold Lavender Fields are a treat. Bright colours, lovely smells and activities galore.
You can take a tour of the lavender fields, visit the distillery or enjoy some snacks in the Cabin.
With views, activities and products the Cotswold Lavender Fields is a day out to enjoy the Cotswolds.
Where to Eat Traditional Pub Food in Snowshill
Snowshill is a pretty village in the Cotswolds, UK but due to its size does not have an abundance of restaurants to choose from. The Snowshill Arms on the village green is the main place to eat. Here you can have traditional pub food like home-cured ham, steak and kidney pie, fish and chips, and Sunday roasts. The pub is renowned for its real ales and has even been featured on TV dramas like Father Brown and Unforgotten.
Buckland Manor Restaurant in nearby Buckland, is the place to go for a five course dinner, the Mount Inn, Stanton is more casual and serves pub classics. The Swan Inn, Lygon Arms and Russell’s Fish & Chips all in Broadway are all good places to eat near Snowshill.
If you’re looking for something a bit healthier the Broadway Deli sells freshly made salads, sandwiches and wraps. Morris & Brown is the place for coffee and cake, The Kingham Plough for modern British food. Jonas at GL50 is a stylish restaurant serving local produce and The Carpenter’s Arms in Burford is a traditional pub with a modern twist. The Broadbean and The Chandlers Arms serve great pub food and The White Hart and The Olive Branch do homemade cakes and light lunches.
Whether you want a traditional pub meal or a light bight the area around Snowshill has it all.
Where to Stay in Snowshill
Snowshill is a place to wander and enjoy the Cotswolds but it’s also a great place to stay with many accommodation options in the area. Broughwood Cottage, Airbnb and self-catering cottages like Willow Vale and Tumbledown offer comfortable and convenient places to stay. The White Hart Royal Hotel and Charingworth Manor for a more luxurious and relaxing experience. The Old Cotswolds Inn is a traditional country pub with a great atmosphere and good food. This area is also home to a third generation family farm, showcasing the rich heritage and continuity of family ownership in the Cotswold Hills.
Whichever accommodation you choose you’ll have a great time in Snowshill. With plenty of walking and exploring to do in Snowshill Village, the Cotswold Lavender Fields and Snowshill Manor and Gardens you can really get to know the area.
How to Get to Snowshill
Getting to Snowshill is easy. By train you can take a direct train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh which takes 1 hour 39 minutes. From Moreton-in-Marsh you can take a taxi or bus to Broadway and then a 2 mile walk to Snowshill. Alternatively you can take a taxi from Broadway to Snowshill which is 6 miles.
If you prefer to drive Snowshill is 3 miles south of Broadway and can be found by following Church Street, a narrow road lined with trees and Cotswold stone cottages. You can also take the bus 1/2 from Moreton-in-Marsh to Broadway which takes 25 minutes.
As you might expect of a such a small village, there are no public toilets and car parking is limited. If you are visiting, please make sure you respect the fact that people live here and these are their homes.
Once you’re in Snowshill you’ll be surrounded by acres of garden and grounds and can walk the village easily. Start at the Snowshill Arms pub and then head to Snowshill Manor & Garden where you can learn about the history of the manor house and walk the grounds. You can also walk the Cotswold Lavender Fields or wander the village streets and admire the cottages.
Whichever way you get to Snowshill you’ll be enchanted by this lovely village. With its narrow streets and views Snowshill is the place to relax and explore. So take time to escape to Snowshill and discover this special Cotswolds village.
Summary
Snowshill is a Cotswold village in the UK with a long history and many attractions to see. Medieval Times manor house, Snowshill Manor & Garden and Stone Age settlements.
The Cotswold Lavender Fields are a must see, walk through its scented paths and take in the views of the Severn Vale. For activities and amenities Snowshill has plenty of restaurants and accommodation so it’s a great family break destination. Additionally, it is home to a third generation family farm set in the scenic Cotswold Hills.