Pictures of Minster Lovell

About Minster Lovell

This village is renowned as one of the loveliest villages along the Windrush valley. It has all the attributes of the perfect English village, including legends of centuries ago. Francis Lovell, a member of the powerful Lovell family of Minster Lovell Hall, supported the 15th-century pretender Lambert Simnel. He hid in a secret room which was known only to one servant, the servant died suddenly, leaving Lovell unable to get out, and to eventually die of starvation. In the early part of the 18th-century, during alterations to the Hall, the skeleton of a man was discovered in a concealed room - thus according to many, it was the body of Francis Lovell, and the legend was confirmed.

Minster Lovell, in its beautiful dream-like setting against the gently rising Cotswold landscape, has a history stretching back to Saxon times. It has a five hundred year old bridge spanning the meandering Windrush, attractive cottage properties, and the spectacular 15th-century ruins of a once great house, home of the Lovell's, which was visited by Henry VII on no less than three occasions. Minster Lovell has beautiful mellow Cotswold stone houses and inns - The Mill and Old Swan is a fine example, it stands in the midst of a lovely estate on the banks of the river, where it has stood for over 600 years.

The Minster Lovell experience is not to be missed. It is a small intimate museum in the private home of artist, Graham Kew. The museum is on the outskirts of the village where Graham Kew, a gifted story-teller, strives to keep alive the many romantic legends of Minster Lovell's past.

If you are seeking peace and quite mixed with a bit of history and a dash of sweet enchantment then Minster Lovell is the perfect place for you. You can wander its quite lanes, picnic at the side of crystal clear waters, spend a few moments of quiet reflection amid the beauty of the historic walls of St.Kenelms church or, just joyfully amble around soaking up a tranquil atmosphere, hard to find in any other place.

Minster Lovell is close to several charming Cotswold villages, and the market towns of Burford, Chipping Norton, Witney and Woodstock lie within easy driving distance.