Nearest train station: Charlbury
The Cotswolds and wild swimming: a match made in heaven. With its rolling valleys and idyllic countryside, (not to mention winding rivers and pretty lakes, obviously) the Costwolds offers a great many wild swimming opportunities. Some of which are real secluded gems, if you know where to look.
This particular swimming spot, in the gorgeous village of Minster Lovell (near the larger settlement of Witney) on the River Windrush and amid the backdrop of the Minster Lovell Hall ruins, offers the perfect opportunity for a quick dip, perhaps before a relaxing picnic.
Head out of the village past St Kenelm’s Church and follow the path to Minster Lovell Hall. Beyond the ruins, there is a clear river bank offering easy access to the river which gets to just over a metre deep.
The spot by the river bank gets quite popular on weekends, so if you keep walking along the river bank and through the meadows to the east you’ll come across more reeded, area with a larger pool area just over the bridge (pictured above). This spot can get muddy and there is a bit of a current so do take care.
How to Get to the River Windrush at Minster Lovell
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this secluded Cotswolds gem by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
Enter the postcode OX29 0RR into your sat nav, which will take you to the car park at Minster Lovell, which is adjacent to the ruins.
If you’re coming off from Burford Road (B4047) from Witney via the A40, there’s a discreet right-hand turn just before Porgie’s Home Baking, which leads into the village. Follow the road over the bridge over the River Windrush and into the village – the car park will be on your right.
By public transport
This one is a bit tricky, as public transport in the Cotswolds can be arduous, depending on where you are. The nearest station to Minster Lovell is Charlbury, though there’s no direct bus route to the village and you will have to pass through Witney.
If you’re coming from Witney (or from Burford) then the 233 will drop you off by the White Hart on the B4047 just outside the village, and then it’s roughly a 15 minute walk to the spot.
Find out more about buses to Minster Lovell here.
By bike
This area of the Cotswolds is great for cycling, and if you’re coming from the nearest station of Charlbury of elsewhere, there are plenty of routes.
The surrounding villages of Crawley, Burford and Fulbrook, and indeed all around the Windrush Valley. One route we’d recommend is the Burford East Circular, which loops around the area and passes through Charlbury, Burford, with Minster Lovell being just a couple of miles east of the latter.
What else is nearby Minster Lovell?
The Cotswolds needs little introduction in terms of what it has to offer in pure beautiful countryside. Blenheim Palace is in nearby Woodstock, and Burford is a quintessential chocolate box Cotswolds village. nearby
For further wild swimming adventures, we recommend following the River Windrush westward, as this offers a more rural venture through the valley, and there are plenty of wild swimming locations along the way.