A Frosty Minster Lovell

One of my favorite day trips from Oxford is the beautiful village and manor house ruin of Minster Lovell, 20 miles Northwest of Oxford. It is situated on the banks of the Windrush River and is a lovely setting in every season.  The manor house was originally the home of Richard III's henchman Lord Lovell, one of the richest men in England at the time.  The hall was first built in 1440, expanded in the following century, then abandoned then dismantled in the mid-18th century -- leaving the beautiful ruins that stand today.  

 St. Kenelm's Church, Minster Lovell

 

The round building in the background is a 500-year-old dovecote. 

The Windrush River

Minster Lovell Hall

My latest wanderings led me to the Cotswold town of Minster Lovell and the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall on the banks of the River Windrush.

Minister Lovell Hall was built by William Lovell in the 1440 and was further extended  by his grandson, Lord Francis. 

The last resident was Thomas Coke 

who moved into a house in Holkham, Norfolk, 

leaving the Minster Lovell to be dismantled in 1747.

The fields and some of the out-buildings remain

Minister Lovell Woods

Banks of the River Windrush

English Garden

The Minister Lovell pub -- The Old Swan

Summer window boxes

Getting ready for the Queen's Party

Silver Jubilee Joy!