Old Swan and Minster Mill – Fantastic 48 Hours in the Cotswolds

The Old Swan and Minster Mill  is the perfect base for a Cotswolds break. Set on the River Windrush in the charming village of Minster Lovell, it’s a luxury Cotswolds hotel and restaurant, with a relaxed vibe. Part of the de Savary family’s collection of boutique inns, it really feels like a home away from home. We were here to sample the luxury spa shopper break, in association with Bicester Village designer outlet.

Old Swan and Minster Mill Review

The Old Swan and Minster Mill reception is housed in this beautiful Cotswold stone building on the banks of the river. You make your way through the cosy inn with its open-log fire, to your room up a winding staircase.

If you prefer more traditional rooms then the Old Swan is perfect, and if you like rooms with a contemporary and casual feel then the Minster Mill works well. We recommend the Early room in the Old Swan where we stayed – it has an amazing vaulted ceiling. 

Although traditional in style, it had all mod cons including a flat-screen TV, complimentary wifi, coffee and tea making facilities and a carafe of very drinkable sloe gin. The bed linen was the finest that I have come across. 

Awaiting us on the bed was the Old Swan VIP Invitation to Bicester Village, where you are presented with a VIP Day card, entitling you to additional savings at over 130 British and international designer stores. The bathroom had a lovely view of evergreen plants, and nice touches like White Company toiletries, complimentary water and a vanity mirror which I found handy for makeup. 

Another nice touch was the information on the local area, curated by the owner of the inn. We started with a look around the extensive hotel grounds.

There are lots of unusual touches throughout the hotel like this deckchair outside the Old Swan Inn.

The mill is a perfect spot to sit outside if the weather is behaving.

There’s a beautiful Garden Temple pergola by the river that is licensed and a popular spot for outdoor weddings. We can imagine how lovely it looks in spring when the first bulbs appear and later when the wildflower meadows bloom.

There are also some humorous touches like a “Gone Fishing” sign at the spot where you can go fishing, and this boat filled with greenery.

This sign made us chuckle – actually children are very welcome and will love collecting eggs from the hens.

The ducks, Betty and Eddie have their own house, as does the resident cat Parker. Next to the duck pond, there’s one of the two outdoor chess boards and a pub garden where you can enjoy an al fresco meal or drink.

The Oak Room’s vaulted timber ceiling is spectacular and the log-burning fire was very cosy. We liked the seasonal orange trees and Christmas baubles.

Above the Oak Room, you have the Minstrels’ Gallery where you can indulge in a spot of pool. Both spaces can be hired out for private parties.

Spa and Fitness at The Old Swan and Minster Mill

There’s a fitness centre located past the Minster Mill rooms with modern equipment, including a PowerPlate machine which we find very effective. The Windrush Spa specialises in Yon-Ka holistic treatments.

Yon-Ka is a leading Parisian spa and skincare brand, popular with celebrities. I opted for the Advanced Optimiser Facial which I can only describe as having a personal trainer for the skin.

My therapist worked her magic throughout the 80 minute session and my skin felt so much more supple and smooth afterwards. My companion went for the Yon-Ka Candle Full Body Massage with a soya and shea butter warm candle.

His skin was glowing and hydrated for days afterwards. A new spa with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, spa, steam-rooms and outdoor sun terraces will be built in 2015.

Minster Lovell Hall

Fresh from our spa treatment, we headed out to visit Minster Lovell Hall. It’s a very atmospheric ruin set on the banks of the River Windrush, 5 minutes walk past some pretty cottages.

Minster Lovell ruins are not visible from the road, however you just go around the church and you’ll find them. Built by William Lovell in around 1440, the hall was abandoned in 1747.

Maintained by English Heritage, it is free to visit and open “all reasonable hours”. It’s a mesmerizing place at any time of year.

Especially when the leaves are falling!

Dining at The Old Swan and Minster Mill

We enjoyed dinner in the Lovell Room, which has a double height oak beam ceiling, oak floors and a log-burning inglenook fireplace. It’s even licensed for weddings.

The adjacent Minster Room also has oak-beamed ceilings and seats up to 50 for private parties. The inn is dog friendly and dogs are welcome in the bar and snug areas.

It’s best to pre-book as the bar area is very popular. Head chef, David Mwita, uses local produce wherever possible. I tried my companion’s seared King scallops with asparagus purée and samphire – a fantastic combination of flavours.

My Devonshire crab and River Windrush crayfish cocktail was served with Melba toast. It was beautifully fresh and I liked the presentation on a slate board. 

My companion was feeling hungry, so opted for the Oxford Gold beer battered Brixham haddock and chips, mushy peas and a delicious homemade tartare sauce. On Fridays, the menu features seasonal fish dishes so there was plenty of choice. 

I stayed healthy with a whole baked plaice with samphire and shallot butter. The plaice and vegetables were perfectly cooked. 

Treacle tart with vanilla seed custard is made to a de Savary family recipe, and it did not disappoint! My chocolate torte with raspberries and cream was a fantastic end to the meal.

Final Thoughts on The Old Swan and Minster Mill

We retired to bed to find that the room had been turned down, with sweets left on the pillow and a thoughtful note to tell us to change the clocks back as the hour was changing overnight. I slept like a baby in that comfy bed and it was quite a wrench to leave the next morning!

We thoroughly recommend it for a Cotswolds break.

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