Charles Wade purchased the manor in 1919 specifically to house his burgeoning collection, choosing to live in a small adjacent cottage while his house was used for storage.
The collection includes a diverse array of items such as 26 suits of Japanese Samurai armor and various historical scientific instruments.
The garden layout was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, focusing on structural design rather than purely floral displays.
The property features 'Wolf's Cove,' a miniature village model that Wade constructed in the garden.
Wade bequeathed the entire estate and his collection to the National Trust in 1951, stipulating that the collection remain as he curated it.
The house does not follow a conventional architectural flow, reflecting the personal taste of a collector rather than a family residence.
Snowshill Manor is a National Trust property renowned for the eccentric and vast collection of Charles Wade, an architect and poet who filled the house with over 22,000 everyday and curious objects. The house serves as a cabinet of curiosities, featuring items ranging from antique bicycles and Samurai armor to musical instruments and ship models. The interior is deliberately arranged to create a dark, atmospheric environment where artifacts are displayed in tightly packed thematic groups. Outside, the Arts and Crafts-style garden, designed by M.H. Baillie Scott, follows a series of tiered terraces and includes a kitchen garden, an orchard, and a miniature model village. The property is located in the Cotswold village of Snowshill, known for its traditional limestone architecture. The house and garden are managed to preserve the aesthetic vision of Wade, emphasizing his philosophy of 'let nothing perish.' Visitors typically explore the property in two distinct sections, the house and the terraced grounds.
The elevated viewing point from the top terrace looking back over the manor house and garden.
Pre-booking is often required for entry to the manor house due to its small, confined rooms.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, as the terraced gardens include uneven stone steps and steep slopes.
Check the National Trust website before traveling to confirm if a timed entry slot is necessary for the house.
Attempting to visit the manor house without a pre-booked time slot, as access is strictly controlled to preserve the interior.
The manor house is typically closed during the winter months, while parts of the garden may remain open; always verify status for specific mid-week closures during the off-season.
Large backpacks and rucksacks must be left in lockers provided at the entrance to protect the fragile collections.
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