Snowshill Manor
At lunch we had consulted our maps and decided to visit the National Trust’s Snowshill Manor. On the way I stopped to take a picture of this Jaguar E-Type.
I am sure that we passed the Manor in the village but following the car park signs took us around behind the property to a large car park We had to park in the overflow car park which ran alongside the road almost right back to the village. We opted to walk from the entrance to the Manor. The walk was so long that a free shuttle was available. Our walk was peppered with quotes from the owner, Charles Wade.
I have not bought things because they were rare or valuable but as records of various vanished handcrafts.
~~Charles Wade
I find I have learnt very little from books…
a lot from pictures but most from objects and skilled craftsmen
~~Charles Wade
The path crossed over dried up streams and was heavily wooded and then this was our first view of the Manor and the gardens around it.
This is the approach to the Manor.
Inside the Manor
Once inside we discovered that the Manor had been restored and had been filled with the owner’s collection of things. It was eclectic to say the least. Collections of police truncheons, cycles, musical instruments, samples of farm wagons and Chinese art for example filled roofs and the loft. It was frankly over powering. The owner and later in his life, his wife, lived in a bare cottage across from the Manor. His money came from inherited estates in the Caribbean.
I overheard one visitor comment to her husband that she would no longer accuse him of hoarding after see all the junk in the Manor.
Beneath the cottage was a small garden in which the owner had maintained a small model village, outbuildings with more ‘stuff’ and extensive flower beds.
Hours Fly
Flowers Die
New Days
Pass By
Love Stays
This is not a National Trust property that I will be re-visiting anytime soon!
We headed back to Chipping Campden for a drink and to reflect on our day.