By Emily Seares
Located in the picturesque Cotswold’s setting of Minster Lovell, home to Jack Straw, the Old Swan & Minster Mill is the perfect weekend getaway for a beautiful, rambling countryside break and total relaxation.
The Old Swan part of the hotel consists of 15 traditional rooms, complete with low hanging wooden beams and four-poster beds, alongside the adjoining Minster Mill which offers 44 bedrooms and a more contemporary style.
A delightful old pub and restaurant is situated in the Old Swan part of the complex, with roaring fires in the winter months and a delicious menu of seasonal local produce, where hotel guests also dine for breakfast come morning.
Set in 65 acres of gardens, the grounds are vast and trace along the winding River Windrush path, where you can enjoy a spot of fishing, relax on deckchairs or have a swing across the river. If you’re heading out for the day, the hotel can pack you up a picnic to take with you or you can borrow bikes to explore the local area.
The evening dinner is delicious and un-fussy, with much of the ingredients home-grown in the grounds themselves including fruit, vegetables, eggs and honey from the beehives.
The grounds are filled with traditional activities such as croquet on the lawn, bowls, and over-sized chess boards or if you have children with you there are ducks, chickens and an outdoor play area to keep them entertained.
The Swan has made a commitment to green energy and installed an impressive Archimedes Screw, which harnesses hydro power from the river to run the hotel. A great addition to the hotel, you can wander down to the river side and see it in action.
This place has a magical feel to it and its super friendly staff pay every attention to detail allowing you to completely switch-off during your stay. A true gem in the heart of Oxfordshire, this charming countryside bolthole will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed and is the perfect spot to explore the delights of the surrounding Cotswolds.
–
Visit the Old Swan & Minster Mill website for more details.