Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote
Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote
Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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- Jo BSydney, Australia25 contributionsWalk amongst the ruinsBeautiful heritage site ticked away at the end of the most beautiful street in England. A well kept secret so that when the rest of the Cotswolds are crowded you can escape and appreciate history and country beauty at the same time. Thatched roofs! We didnβt have time to stop in at the pub - The Swan - but itβs on our list for next time.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 1 April 2024
- S.M.31 contributionsOut of the way but worth visiting.Beautiful evocative ruins with quite a lot to see.I walked from Witney but there is a bus that runs infrequently. I took the footpath but with the river Windrush so close by and a lot of rain, it was almost impassable at times. Walking by the side of the busy road would have gotten me there sooner. It is easy to spend an hour or two there if you are interested in either the history of medieval ruins. Go to the church first to get a brochure about the ruins. But actually visit the church too, which has some excellent tombs. Walking along the village is worth doing as is stopping at the Old Swan for a meal , a pint or a cup of tea. But it is pricey.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 3 May 2024
- shaneππNorthamptonshire, United Kingdom14,714 contributionsPeaceful locationA beautiful ruined heritage site situated at the end of a stunning road. Parking is free and there are about 10 spaces and then a 200 metres walk down and through the church grounds to see the hall. The hall looks like it is having some repairs done but it's location next to the River is very peaceful. The hall is quite hidden but well worth a visit if you're ever in the Burford/Witney areas. Very attractive and free! Visited 1st June 2024.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
258 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
80
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
1
MikeyG53
Emersons Green, UK5,771 contributions
Aug 2021
Minster Lovell has three distinct areas; βLittle Minsterβ which we didnβt explore, βNew Minsterβ which is on, and south, of the Burford Road (B4047), and also a much more ancient βOld Minsterβ. The latter is an attractive rural area to the north of the Burford Road down in the River Windrush valley, which is the original village dating from Saxon times. This is a hugely attractive area with thatched cottages, a lovely looking pub, and a narrow lane leading up to Crawley and the northern part of Witney.
We explored by driving up the narrow lane but we baulked at a sign, which warned us of a narrow road with no passing places. We were aiming to visit the Freedom of The Press Winery which was further up this narrow lane: but on checking the website we saw that it was closed until much later in the day. At that point we could have easily turned around, but it was possible to park, and we had noted that other visitors were walking off from their parked cars. There was a sign pointing to a church (but nothing else). It was, however, obviously quite popular from the people parked-up there. So, we also parked, and followed an even narrower access road on foot which led us to St. Kenelmβs Church.
As we walked around the church there seemed to be more people than you would normally expect to encounter visiting a very old but fairly typical church on a weekday. Then as we reached the area behind the church we found the reason why. There, almost unannounced was Minster Lovell Hall. The sign, mentioned above, made no mention of the ruins of this extensive 15th Century Manor House and associated buildings like the Dovecote (which remains intact).
We spend a good 45 minutes looking around and marvelling at the scale of the buildings and reading the information signs that evidenced an illustrious history of association with the wealthy and powerful.
This National Heritage site is well worth a visit, if you have even the slightest of interest in the remnants of a local culture that goes back nearly 600 years.
We explored by driving up the narrow lane but we baulked at a sign, which warned us of a narrow road with no passing places. We were aiming to visit the Freedom of The Press Winery which was further up this narrow lane: but on checking the website we saw that it was closed until much later in the day. At that point we could have easily turned around, but it was possible to park, and we had noted that other visitors were walking off from their parked cars. There was a sign pointing to a church (but nothing else). It was, however, obviously quite popular from the people parked-up there. So, we also parked, and followed an even narrower access road on foot which led us to St. Kenelmβs Church.
As we walked around the church there seemed to be more people than you would normally expect to encounter visiting a very old but fairly typical church on a weekday. Then as we reached the area behind the church we found the reason why. There, almost unannounced was Minster Lovell Hall. The sign, mentioned above, made no mention of the ruins of this extensive 15th Century Manor House and associated buildings like the Dovecote (which remains intact).
We spend a good 45 minutes looking around and marvelling at the scale of the buildings and reading the information signs that evidenced an illustrious history of association with the wealthy and powerful.
This National Heritage site is well worth a visit, if you have even the slightest of interest in the remnants of a local culture that goes back nearly 600 years.
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dena f
California299 contributions
Nov 2020 β’ Family
Minster Lovell is a nice place to walk and look around though parking is not ample. The Hall is an easy walk open to the public behind a historic church. A small donation is requested though the site is unmanned. It is an English Heritage site. Itβs right on the water and it would be a nice place to picnic in good weather. Our kids enjoyed running through the different rooms and looking around.
Written 11 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcus G
Stroud, UK336 contributions
Dec 2019
This is very good - well worth a look, park at the top of the road, because you honestly don't want to turn round by the church. Anyway, entry is free it's English Heritage and you can get a guide book in the church. In it's day this would have been a major house and much more remains than similar dated buildings.
All in all recommended.
All in all recommended.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marge
Birmingham, UK546 contributions
May 2020 β’ Couples
Lovely scenery around Minster Lovell. Great place for picnics by the riverside & around the ruins. Lots of families enjoying the sun here during lockdown with little ones paddling in river. Lots of photo opportunities around ruins.
Written 10 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo B
Sydney, Australia25 contributions
Mar 2024 β’ Family
Beautiful heritage site ticked away at the end of the most beautiful street in England. A well kept secret so that when the rest of the Cotswolds are crowded you can escape and appreciate history and country beauty at the same time. Thatched roofs! We didnβt have time to stop in at the pub - The Swan - but itβs on our list for next time.
Written 1 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jem137
61 contributions
Aug 2020 β’ Family
My family and I frequent here often we never tire of exploring the magnificent ruins. Weβve swam in the beautifully clean river on many occasion, weβve enjoyed pond dipping for newts in the pond next to the river, and have been known to go crayfishing here also. Thereβs so much more then meets the eye with this treasure of a place, perfect for a full family day out with big ones and little ones alike.
Written 7 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S.M.
31 contributions
Apr 2024 β’ Solo
Beautiful evocative ruins with quite a lot to see.I walked from Witney but there is a bus that runs infrequently. I took the footpath but with the river Windrush so close by and a lot of rain, it was almost impassable at times. Walking by the side of the busy road would have gotten me there sooner. It is easy to spend an hour or two there if you are interested in either the history of medieval ruins. Go to the church first to get a brochure about the ruins. But actually visit the church too, which has some excellent tombs.
Walking along the village is worth doing as is stopping at the Old Swan for a meal , a pint or a cup of tea. But it is pricey.
Walking along the village is worth doing as is stopping at the Old Swan for a meal , a pint or a cup of tea. But it is pricey.
Written 3 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shaneππ
Northamptonshire, UK14,714 contributions
June 2024 β’ Couples
A beautiful ruined heritage site situated at the end of a stunning road.
Parking is free and there are about 10 spaces and then a 200 metres walk down and through the church grounds to see the hall.
The hall looks like it is having some repairs done but it's location next to the River is very peaceful.
The hall is quite hidden but well worth a visit if you're ever in the Burford/Witney areas.
Very attractive and free!
Visited 1st June 2024.
Parking is free and there are about 10 spaces and then a 200 metres walk down and through the church grounds to see the hall.
The hall looks like it is having some repairs done but it's location next to the River is very peaceful.
The hall is quite hidden but well worth a visit if you're ever in the Burford/Witney areas.
Very attractive and free!
Visited 1st June 2024.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrsDenver_Colorado
Denver, CO40 contributions
Aug 2019 β’ Family
Hardly anyone else here, such a nice escape from the crazy tourist Cotswalds. No tour buses here! You wonder through a beautiful church yard and out the back and the ruins are just spectacular. The architecture is beautiful and the interpretation is fun to bring the ruins alive.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert Thomas Charles Walker
75 contributions
Nov 2019 β’ Friends
SO PICTURESQUE! Lots of history, fascinating to "read" the remains of the buildings to see how the house changed. Wander around to the dovecote, it's been open to go inside on some of my visits over the years.
Good interpretation boards.
Love the stories about Lord Lovell, locked in the cellar and starved to death.
Church is quite special, but Bampton or Burford are better.
Good interpretation boards.
Love the stories about Lord Lovell, locked in the cellar and starved to death.
Church is quite special, but Bampton or Burford are better.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I saw on google maps that there is a parking lot at the junction that splits. It's the one where there is a white sign that reads , "Crawley" "Church". It's located about east of the Swan Inn, heading towards the church/ruins.
Can you park in this lot?
Written 10 April 2019
You can. As stated above there are only a few spaces.
You can reach the ruins by walking down the lane leading from that car park and straight through the church yard or, if you want to make a short, circular walk of it, head out of the car park, away from the church and turn immediately left into the main street through village. Pass right through and, after passing the last few houses, take the public footpath to the right. That brings you in past the dovecot and you can circle through the ruins, back to the church and along the lane to the car park.
Written 11 April 2019
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