Minster Mill

Glamorous retreat for gourmets

You needn’t travel far from the dreaming spires of Oxford to experience the uncompromising luxury of Cotswolds 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 riverside gardens.

Kick off a visit in style 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 new head chef Andrew Campbell 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.

At other times of day, the hotel is a picturesque destination at which to enjoy lunch or a Laurent‑Perrier Champagne afternoon tea. Add sleek Scandi‑style bedrooms, a garden spa and traditional amusements including croquet and tennis, and there are plentiful enticements to extend a stay.

Trencherman’s tip: pop across the road to sister property Old Swan for the more casual pleasures of a hand‑raised pie and glass of cool ale in a traditional pub setting.