Nestled in the hills above Broadway, Snowshill is one of the Cotswolds’ most enchanting and least spoilt villages — a place where time moves slowly and the modern world feels pleasantly far away. This tiny hamlet of honey-coloured stone cottages clustered around a village green is home to just a handful of residents, yet it punches well above its weight with two genuinely remarkable attractions: the wonderfully eccentric Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property filled with one man’s extraordinary collection of over 22,000 objects, and the breathtaking Cotswold Lavender fields that blaze purple across the hillside every summer.
Snowshill is the kind of place that rewards those who venture off the beaten path. While the larger Cotswold villages bustle with coaches and day-trippers, Snowshill remains blissfully quiet — a genuine hidden gem where you can wander the lanes, explore an eccentric manor house, walk through fields of lavender, and finish with a pint in a 15th-century pub, all without encountering a crowd. If you are looking for the Cotswolds at its most authentic and unspoilt, Snowshill is the place to find it.
Snowshill Manor and Garden
Snowshill Manor is Snowshill’s star attraction and one of the most unusual and delightful National Trust properties in England. The manor house itself is a handsome Tudor building dating from around 1500, set in terraced gardens that step down the hillside with views across the surrounding countryside. But it is what is inside the house that makes Snowshill Manor truly extraordinary.
Charles Paget Wade and His Collection
The manor’s fame rests entirely on the vision and obsession of one remarkable man: Charles Paget Wade (1883–1956), an architect, artist-craftsman, and poet who purchased the derelict manor after the First World War and spent the next three decades filling it with an astonishing collection of objects from around the world.
Wade’s collecting passion began in childhood. As a boy of seven, he was sent to live with his grandmother in Great Yarmouth, where a beautiful 18th-century lacquered cabinet filled with curiosities first ignited his lifelong fascination with craftsmanship and the beauty of everyday objects. Armed with a substantial private income, Wade began collecting in earnest around 1900, guided by his personal motto: “Let nothing perish”.
By the time of his death in 1956, Wade had amassed over 22,000 objects, filling every room of the manor from floor to ceiling. The collection is extraordinary in its range and eclecticism: Japanese Samurai armour stands beside Flemish tapestries; antique bicycles share space with ship models; musical instruments, toys, clocks, weaving equipment, and farm tools jostle for attention in rooms that feel like the cabinets of curiosity of a Renaissance prince. What makes the collection special is Wade’s equal reverence for the ordinary and the exceptional — a humble spinning wheel was as precious to him as a suit of armour, so long as it showed evidence of honest craftsmanship.
So devoted was Wade to his collection that he never actually lived in the manor house itself. Every room was given over to displays, and Wade slept in a small cottage in the garden called the Priest’s House, which he furnished with characteristic simplicity and style. Several years before his death, Wade offered Snowshill to the National Trust to safeguard its future, and the Trust has cared for the property since 1952.
The Garden
The manor’s garden is a delight in its own right. Wade restored the derelict farmyard and created an enchanting Arts and Crafts garden with the help of his friend, the distinguished architect M.H. Baillie Scott. The garden is designed as a series of outdoor rooms, with terraces, paved courts, pools, and planted borders stepping down the hillside. There is a charming model village called Wolf’s Cove that children (and adults) love, and the views from the upper terraces across the vale to the distant hills are magnificent. The garden is colourful throughout the seasons, with spring bulbs giving way to summer borders and autumn colour.
Visiting Snowshill Manor
Snowshill Manor is open from spring to autumn (typically March to October), with seasonal trails, family activities, and special events throughout the year. Note that the manor house operates a timed entry system and can only be visited on guided tours on busier days — it is advisable to arrive early, especially during school holidays and weekends. The garden can be visited freely during opening hours. There is a National Trust car park (free for members) and a tea room. Entry is included with National Trust membership or available as a separate ticket.
Cotswold Lavender
Less than a mile from the village, Cotswold Lavender at Hill Barn Farm is one of the most spectacular seasonal attractions in the Cotswolds. When the lavender is in full bloom — typically from mid-June to early August — the hillside is transformed into a breathtaking sea of purple and blue, with over 35 varieties of lavender planted in 70 miles of rows stretching across the rolling fields.
Walking through the lavender fields on a warm summer’s day, with bees humming and the scent of lavender filling the air, and views stretching across the Cotswolds countryside, is one of those quintessentially English experiences that stays with you long after you leave. It is no surprise that the lavender fields have become one of the most photographed spots in the Cotswolds — the combination of vivid purple flowers, golden Cotswold stone, and green rolling hills creates images that look almost impossibly beautiful.
Visitors can walk through the fields, watch the oil distillation process (from mid-July to early August, when the harvest is underway), and browse a shop stocked with lavender products — oils, soaps, sachets, and culinary lavender. There is a refreshment cabin serving drinks, snacks, and locally made lavender ice cream. The farm does not take advance bookings; tickets are purchased on arrival by card payment. For groups of more than 15, advance booking is required.
The 2026 season runs from Wednesday 17 June to Wednesday 5 August, open daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm). Check the Cotswold Lavender website for current opening times before visiting, as dates can vary depending on growing conditions.
Exploring Snowshill Village
The Village Green
The heart of Snowshill is its village green, a small, sloping patch of grass surrounded by beautiful Cotswold stone cottages draped in climbing roses and wisteria. The green is overlooked by the church and the village pub, and has the kind of timeless, picture-postcard quality that makes you reach for your camera almost involuntarily. Look out for the much-photographed classic red telephone box standing by the churchyard gate — it has become something of a local landmark and is one of the most photographed phone boxes in the Cotswolds.
St Barnabas Church
St Barnabas Church stands at the top of the village green, a modest but attractive building whose historic origins remain somewhat mysterious. The church we see today is primarily Victorian, constructed in 1864, though a church has stood on this site for much longer. Inside, the church is simple and peaceful, with attractive stained glass and a quiet atmosphere that invites reflection. The churchyard, with its ancient headstones and views across the valley, is a pleasant spot to pause during a walk around the village.
Snowshill on Screen: Bridget Jones’s Diary
Film fans may recognise Snowshill from one of the most beloved British films of the 21st century. The village was used as the location for Bridget Jones’s parents’ village in the 2001 film Bridget Jones’s Diary. The snowy scenes showing Bridget arriving at her parents’ home were filmed here — her taxi drives past St Barnabas Church before she hops out opposite Manor Farmhouse and walks up the driveway to a house called Hall’s Piece. In a delightful bit of movie magic, the snow-covered winter scenes were actually filmed in the middle of July, with the entire village covered in fake snow for the shoot.
Best Walks from Snowshill
Snowshill to Littleworth Wood Circular
This 3.5-mile National Trust-recommended walk starts from the Snowshill Manor car park and loops through fields and ancient woodland, with stunning views across the Cotswolds and into Wales on clear days. The route explores the countryside around the village and the edge of the Vale of Evesham, with views towards the Malvern Hills. The walk is moderately challenging with some steep sections and can be muddy in wet weather — sturdy footwear is recommended. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Snowshill to Broadway Tower
A scenic 5-mile walk connecting two of the north Cotswolds’ most popular attractions. The route leads from Snowshill village along country lanes past the Cotswold Lavender fields and through open countryside to Broadway Tower, the famous folly perched on the second-highest point in the Cotswolds with panoramic views across 16 counties. The walk can be done as a one-way route (with transport arranged at either end) or as a there-and-back walk of 10 miles. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours one way.
Stanton, Snowshill, and the Edge
This 6-mile circular walk takes in a stretch of the Cotswold Way and connects Snowshill with the equally beautiful village of Stanton. The route follows the Cotswold escarpment edge with panoramic views across the Severn Vale before descending through fields to Stanton’s perfectly preserved street of honey-stone cottages, then returning to Snowshill via quiet lanes and footpaths. It is one of the finest circular walks in the north Cotswolds. Allow 3 to 3.5 hours.
Where to Eat and Drink
The Snowshill Arms is the village’s only pub, and it is a good one. This cosy, 15th-century inn overlooks the village green and serves real ales, hearty pub food, and seasonal dishes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. There is a beer garden for sunny days and a children’s playground — making it a popular stop for walkers and families. Dogs are welcome. The pub can get busy on summer weekends, so arriving early for lunch is advisable.
The Snowshill Manor tea room (National Trust) serves teas, coffees, cakes, and light lunches when the manor is open. The Cotswold Lavender cabin offers refreshments during the summer lavender season. For a wider choice of restaurants and pubs, the handsome village of Broadway is just 2.5 miles away, with a wealth of dining options from gastropubs to fine dining.
Nearby Attractions
Snowshill’s hilltop position in the north Cotswolds puts it within easy reach of several major attractions. Broadway (2.5 miles) is one of the Cotswolds’ showpiece villages, with its broad High Street, art galleries, and the famous Broadway Tower. Cotswold Farm Park (4 miles), created by Adam Henson, is a wonderful family day out with rare breed animals, farm demonstrations, and seasonal events. Stanton (2 miles), often called the most perfect village in the Cotswolds, is a short walk or drive away. Chipping Campden (5 miles) offers the finest medieval High Street in England and the start of the Cotswold Way.
Practical Information
Getting There
Snowshill is located in the north Cotswolds, approximately 2.5 miles south of Broadway and 6 miles southwest of Chipping Campden. By car: approximately 2 hours from London via the M40, 40 minutes from Cheltenham, and 30 minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon. There are no scheduled bus services to Snowshill — the nearest bus stops are in Broadway, which is served by buses from Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. The nearest railway stations are Moreton-in-Marsh (9 miles) and Evesham (8 miles). From Broadway, you can walk to Snowshill (2.5 miles, about 50 minutes on foot) or take a taxi.
Parking
The National Trust car park at Snowshill Manor is the main parking option (free for National Trust members, pay-and-display for non-members). There is very limited roadside parking in the village itself. During the lavender season, Cotswold Lavender has its own car park at Hill Barn Farm.
How Long to Spend
A visit to Snowshill Manor and the village can be enjoyed in 2 to 3 hours. Add the lavender fields (in season) and a walk for a full day. Snowshill combines perfectly with a visit to nearby Broadway and Broadway Tower for a wonderfully varied day in the north Cotswolds.
Plan Your Visit
Snowshill is proof that the Cotswolds’ greatest treasures are not always the most famous. This tiny, peaceful village, with its eccentric manor house and spectacular lavender fields, offers something genuinely different from the bigger Cotswold destinations — and the quieter pace and unspoilt character make it all the more rewarding. For more village guides, see our complete guide to the prettiest Cotswolds villages, or explore nearby Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold.