Oxfordshire Travel Guide - Towns and Villages

England
Oxfordshire

Minster Lovell

One of the prettiest of the Oxfordshire villages. Minster Lovell lies on the sleepy River Windrush a few miles west of Witney. There are essentially two Minster Lovells; the upper section, along the B4047, with newer houses and a pub, and the charming lower section along the river valley. Here you will find thatched cottages and medieval almshouses ranged along quiet lanes. Everywhere is a sense of timeless calm.

There is a lovely three arched bridge across the river, and a large village cricket ground beside the water. A short walk from the cricket ground brings you to the 14th century church of St Kenelm, and behind it, the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall (English Heritage). There was a manor house here as early as the 12th century, but the extensive remains that can be seen today date primarily from the house built for William Lovel in the 1430s.

A dovecote and farm buildings built at the same time adjoin the ruins of the Hall. A lovely circular walk of approximately 3 miles in length is signposted from the Hall, following the Windrush valley towards Witney and then veering off to Crawley before returning to Minster Lovell.

Images of Minster Lovell

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Thatched cottage in Minster Lovell village	In the summer months cricket matches take place on the playing fields beside the River Windrush	Ruins of the 15th century Minster Lovell Hall
A lovely woodland walk leads from the Hall...	... beside the river...	... and across pastoral landscape
The 14th century parish church of St Kenelm

See also:
Minster Lovel Hall

OXFORDSHIRE FEATURES:

Oxford Heritage Guide

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