Minster Mill

Oxfordshire dining oasis

Just a short drive from the dreaming spires of Oxford stands glamorous Cotswold retreat Minster Mill, part of the Andrew Brownsword Hotels collection.

Set in glorious grounds, the honey-coloured converted mill is a rural idyll in the village of Minster Lovell. Charming Cotswold‑stone buildings and barns are flanked by 65 acres of enchanting riverside gardens.

Start any visit with a classic cocktail in the lofty gallery bar or head to the garden terrace to sip while surrounded by wildflower meadows, woodland and the burble of the River Windrush.

Dinner is served beneath the vaulted ceilings and oak beams of the three AA rosette restaurant where head chef Joshua Brimmell specialises in contemporary British cooking. Creative flair and a commitment to supporting regional producers sees each artfully devised dish fused with a local twist. Wine and Champagne from the extensive Brownsword cellar complete the experience.

The hotel isn’t just a picturesque dinner destination, of course. Drop by to enjoy the lunch menu or the Laurent‑Perrier Champagne afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, cakes and pastries.

Sleek streamlined Scandi‑style bedrooms, a garden spa and traditional amusements such as croquet and tennis are enticements to stay longer.

Trencherman’s tip: with its flagstone floors and inglenook fireplaces, sister property The Old Swan, across the road, provides the more casual pleasures of a hand‑raised pie and glass of cool ale.