Things to do in Minster Lovell

Discover quaint villages, tiny tea rooms, and 15th-century ruins on a day trip to the Cotswolds from Oxford. Explore Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, and more unusually named places. Admire the scenery as you drive through the pretty countryside to picturesque villages. Departing from outside Oxford Railway Station in the morning at 10:00 AM, head to the village of Great Tew. Continue to Stow-on-the-Wold to reach the highest town in the region and browse the honey-colored buildings and tiny tea rooms. Visit the pretty village of Lower Slaughter before going to Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds", where you will have time for lunch. After lunch, discover the gateway to the Cotswolds in the village of Burford. Journey through the valley of the River Windrush and discover amazing villages such as Swinbrook along with the ruins of 15th-century Minster Lovell Hall. Departure will be late afternoon, returning to Oxford Railway Station by 5:00 PM

Take in amazing views of the Cotswolds villages and countryside scenes on a full-day electric bike tour. Enjoy cycling off the beaten track, away from the usual bus and transport routes. Using high performance ebikes which make cycling up & down Cotswolds roads fun rather than tiring! Meet your guide in Hanborough village (address will be confirmed on booking), which is under 30 minutes taxi from Oxford and Oxford is only one hour by train from London. Then, hop on your bike and set off to explore scenic villages, hamlets, and historic sites such as Minster Lovell medieval manor house ruins and North Leigh Roman villa site. Over the course of the day, cover around 30 miles cycling round trip at leisurely pace. A garden pub lunch stop is scheduled (cost of your lunch is not included). The itinerary is arranged to make for a leisurely pace & relaxing active day out in the glorious English Cotswolds countryside. HOW TO GET HERE: When you book, advice will be offered regarding how to get to meet point and assistance to book a taxi, if needed. Hanborough is 70 minutes by train from London Paddington train station & trains depart every hour. However, due to frequent train delays and cancellations since 2023, it's recommended instead that you catch the train to Oxford, then catch a taxi from Oxford to Hanborough. This will cost £30 max each direction and I can book the taxi for you to collect you eg at 9.45am from Oxford station, if you plan a train to arrive by say 9.30am. I will then book a taxi to return you from here at 17.45 to Oxford station for the train to catch every half hour from Oxford to London.

Departing from your hotel in the Northern Cotswold or Oxford at 10:00AM, you’ll start the day by visiting the fascinating village of Great Tew. From Great Tew continue on to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you’ll have time to browse among honey-coloured buildings, cozy pubs, narrow streets, interesting shops and tiny tea rooms. Our next stop is the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter, one of the prettiest villages in the Northern Cotswolds and set in the most amazing countryside. Our next stop is arguably the most famous Cotswolds town and regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England; Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ there is plenty to see and do with a wealth of attractions, shops, restaurants and tea rooms. From Bourton-on-the-Water your route takes you through some enchanting Cotswold villages to Burford, often called the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. In Burford we will enjoy lunch at an awarding winning Cotswolds pub where you can sample traditional ale out in the sunshine if you’d like. After lunch spend the afternoon traveling along the stunning Windrush Valley visiting hidden villages including Swinbrook, Asthall and the highlight of tour, the beautiful village and ancient ruins of Minster Lovell. This pretty village on the River Windrush boasts plenty of Cotswold stone and thatched roofs, as well as holding the title of being the region’s most haunted village. Minster Lovell is perhaps best known for the ruins of its 15th century hall, owned by generations of the Lovell family. Departure will be late afternoon returning to your hotel by 5:00PM.

Discover the charm, beauty, and history of the Cotswolds on this luxury private day trip from London. With an itinerary tailored to your interests, discover both iconic sights and hidden gems guided by a knowledgeable and engaging local expert who will bring the Cotswolds to life with humour and fascinating stories on this unforgettable journey through one of England’s most beautiful regions. This is the ultimate stress-free adventure & the perfect blend of guided storytelling, scenic stops, and free time to explore at your own pace. Book now for an exclusive and unforgettable day in the Cotswolds. Explore the best of the Cotswolds – from famous villages to secret spots not found on other tours. Personalised and flexible itinerary – crafted to suit your interests and preferences. Travel in style with hotel pickup, luxury transport, and an expert guide to lead the way. Enjoy storytelling and local insights – a fun, informative journey with plenty of photo opportunities.

Explore the picturesque villages and scenery of the world-famous Cotswolds region on a private full day tour scheduled from 10am to 6pm. Get off the beaten track and avoid the coach crowds with the help of your local guide. Visit the destinations you want to see, where practical, and discover locations you may not have heard of too. As the tour is private, the itinerary and start time are flexible. Along the way, enjoy coffee, lunch, and cake stops to suit your schedule as well. Possible places to visit include Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, Minster Lovell, North Leigh Roman Villa, Broadway Tower, Chastleton House, Kingham, and Kelmscott Manor. By booking this activity with me here, you are agreeing to book me as your guide for the day but this booking and payment does not include the significant costs of my arranging a taxi to drive us or alternatively you can choose to hire a car to drive us. I cannot be your driver as if I hire the car to deliver a commercial activity, the car insurance policy is invalidated. I do not own a vehicle of my own either.

7 great stops in some of the most iconic villages of the Cotswolds. We will have lunch right in the middle of the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty where we will see the oldest pub in England and the hobbit door of the local church. Our tour of the Cotswolds includes Cirencester, the "capital" of the Cotswolds whose massive wool church of St. John the Baptist boasts the largest porch in England. Nearby Bibury, is famous for Arlington row, a series of fourteenth century weavers' cottages. Bourton on the Water, known as the "Venice of Cotwolds" is one of the most popular destinations in the bare, having a perfumery, vintage car museum and a model village amongst many other attractions. But moist of our guest like to venture a bit further away for the tranquil delights of Lower Slaughter and its Victorian watermill. A drive past Upper Slaughter and Lower Swell takes us to Stow on the Wold "where the wind blows cold". An excellent stop for lunch and where we can explore the local churchyard and maybe have a quick pint in the oldest pub in England. Our tour continues in the afternoon to Burford where we will here where the expression "Any old Tom, Dick or Harry" came from. When open the fifteenth century tollhouse has a charming museum where you can find out about the ancient building skills employed in the area. The church nearby still bares the marks of England's civil war in the 1640s and where wool merchants graves fill the churchyard. Our final stop is our grand finale. A ruined fifteenth century manor house awaits and with it a macabre tale. The splendid thatched cottages of Minster Lovell is where we leave the Cotswolds before returning to London.

Your adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your London hotel. Meet your friendly, knowledgeable guide and settle into a luxury vehicle with air conditioning and WiFi, and relax as your guide shares fascinating tidbits about the Cotswolds' heritage and culture. Arrive in Northleach, a small town with a big history. Known for its medieval “Cathedral of the Cotswolds,” it’s a charming place where centuries-old stories are just waiting to be told. Explore over 1000 years of history in the scenic Coln valley where your guide will share stories of this beautiful area, transporting you to another time and uncovering the haunting history behind this picturesque drive. The next stop is Bibury, once described as ‘the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds’ and home to the world-famous Arlington Row cottages, so stunning that even Henry Ford tried to buy it and ship it to America! Next, take a journey through a pristine estate valley to a hidden gem that’s not visited by other tours. With a stop in a 'secret' village your guide will bring to life tales of local legends and ancient marvels. Time for tea (traditional English of course) or a lovely lunch in Bourton-on-the-water, the Venice of the Cotswolds,” Enjoy free time to explore unique shops, charming tea rooms, museums, and possibly the best ice cream in the Cotswolds! Despite its dramatic name, Lower Slaughter is pure charm. Stroll along the banks of the River Eye, passing picturesque cottages that look straight out of a painting. It’s a peaceful stop you’ll never forget. Our final stop on the 1st day is delightful Minster Lovell, reputedly the most haunted village in the Cotswolds. This is a hidden gem we would love to share with you. We will then drop you off at your beautiful Cotswolds accommodation. First up on Day 2 is Snowshill, a village that seemingly grows from the land itself. Discover tales of happiness, hardship and Hollywood in this peaceful corner of the Cotswolds followed by a visit to Snowshill Manor, a rambling treasure trove of English eccentricity. Next up, is Broadway Tower, a token of love, the birthplace of an artistic movement, a wartime observation post, a nuclear bunker and a fantastic viewpoint. The world-famous Arts and Crafts-inspired Garden of Hidcote Manor are our next stop. Covering an area of 10.5 acres the garden takes visitors on a journey through intimate formal areas and less ordered, but equally beautiful spaces. Travelling back over 5000 years with a stop at the Rollright Stones a prehistoric monument in a stunning setting. Our expert guide will bring their Stone Age origins to life before the final stop. Blenheim Palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of England's most iconic stately homes. Nestled in the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside, this masterpiece of Baroque architecture offers a fascinating glimpse into British history and heritage. We will then head back to London to drop you off after a fantastic 2 day break!

Starting outside a 700 year old pub called the Old Swan in Minster Lovell village and finishing outside the Anglican church in Burford market town, step back through time with an engaging walking tour through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. View the famous grassland thatched medieval villages, churches — most notably, the historic Saxon church built on top of a Roman villa — Norman villages and the distinctive local yellow limestone homes. This tour is a rural walk. Enjoy a leisurely walk of 8 to 12 miles, depending on whether you prefer a shorter or a longer route plan. Stop to see the sights, enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting and pick fruit along the way during berry picking season. The reduced 8 miles route does require pre booking a taxi to drive part of the walk & that might cost up to £40 extra as this is a rural area where taxis charge minimum fares to collect us. Lunch table is booked at the award winning Swan Inn pub in Swinbrook village. Note that the cost of the meal is not included in the tour activity.