Imagine Snowshill without the Snowshill phone box?!

If you’ve ever joined a Cotswolds in a Day tour with Go Cotswolds, there’s a good chance you’ve stopped in Snowshill – one of the prettiest, most photographed villages in the Cotswolds.

And right at the heart of the village stands the famous Snowshill phone box, a beloved red telephone kiosk that’s become an iconic symbol of this charming rural spot.

Unfortunately, BT, the company responsible for maintaining phone boxes in the UK, had threatened to remove it due to underuse.

But, we have some brilliant news for everyone who loves the Snowshill phone box – it’s staying!

The Snowshill phone box is here to stay!

On 16th June, BT informed Tewkesbury Borough Council that they will not be removing the Snowshill phone box’s public phone. This decision came after a wonderful show of community spirit – with local residents and supporters speaking up – and to one man in particular: Roger Davies. Roger has been a tireless champion of the Snowshill phone box, in constant contact with BT, and without his persistence, the outcome would almost certainly have been different. Thank you, Roger!

Even better, Roger’s efforts have resulted in BT repairing the Snowshill phone box’s phone so it now works perfectly. For visitors and locals alike – calls to 01, 02, 03, and 07 numbers are now free from this phone!

Why the Snowshill Phone Box Matters

Snowshill is a remote rural village. Mobile phone signal here can be patchy at best – non-existent at worst. This makes the Snowshill phone box a valuable lifeline for walkers, hikers, and cyclists exploring the surrounding hills and footpaths.

For visitors on our tours, the phone box is a wonderful reminder of a time before mobile phones, and for some, a genuinely useful backup if their own phone can’t get a signal.

And of course, the Snowshill phone box isn’t just functional – it’s beautiful. This bright red ‘K6’ kiosk against the backdrop of honey-coloured cottages and rolling Cotswold hills is a photographer’s dream. It’s one of those timeless scenes that’s just so English – and one of the reasons Snowshill regularly appears in guidebooks, postcards, and Instagram feeds.

It’s also extra special for us here at Go Cotswolds because our guide Steve actually lives in Snowshill – so he has a real personal connection to this little piece of village history. When you visit with us, you’ll get to hear all about the area from someone who calls it home.

The Next Step for the Snowshill Phone Box

Roger isn’t finished yet – he’s now lobbying BT to spruce up the Snowshill phone box itself, which has seen better days. Fingers crossed we’ll soon have a freshly painted kiosk to match its renewed purpose.

So next time you’re in Snowshill – whether with us on a Go Cotswolds tour or exploring under your own steam – why not stop by the Snowshill phone box, take a photo, and maybe even make a call? It’s a little piece of Cotswold history, and now it’s here to stay.

Visiting Snowshill: What to See and Do

You’ll visit gorgeous Snowshill on our best-selling, award-winning Cotswolds in a Day tour! It’s a tiny village of less than 300 inhabitants, so we’re not here for too long, but you’ll get to admire:

• The Village Church and Cottages
  At the heart of Snowshill is the picturesque little church of St. Barnabas, with its squat, square tower. Many churches in this area date from the 12th or 13th Centuries, but this one is very ‘young’ – it’s Victorian, only built in 1864! It’s peculiar then, that the charming traditional Cotswold stone cottages surrounding the church are actually much older than the church itself! Of course, a photo with the Snowshill phone box is a must!

• Bridget Jones’s Diary Filming Location
  Hall’s Piece, one of the lovely Cotswold stone houses in Snowshill may look familiar – it was one of the filming locations for the beloved 2001 movie Bridget Jones’s Diary! Fans of the film will recognise the quintessential English charm that helped bring the story to life.

• The Snowshill Arms
  If it’s open when we visit, you could pop into this gloriously traditional local pub for a ‘swift half’ – it sells beer from the local Donnington Brewery, located just 8 miles away.

If you’re visiting Snowshill or the nearby Cotswolds for longer, don’t miss:

• Snowshill Manor and Garden
  Managed by the National Trust, this quirky manor house – the former home of eccentric Charles Paget Wade – is packed with fascinating collections and surrounded by beautiful gardens. A must-see for any visitor!

• Cotswold Lavender Fields
  For 6 weeks in the summer months, the nearby lavender fields bloom spectacularly, offering amazing photo opportunities and a heady fragrance that fills the air.

• Walking and Hiking
  Snowshill lies along the route of the famous Cotswold Way National Trail, so it’s common to see troupes of hikers passing through! If you’re not up for the whole 102-mile trail, the countryside surrounding Snowshill is lovely for shorter walks too.

Ready to experience the magic of Snowshill – and its iconic phone box – for yourself? Join us on a Go Cotswolds tour for an unforgettable day discovering the best of the Cotswolds with expert guides — including Steve, who knows Snowshill like the back of his hand!