Located in the heart of one of the most historical areas of the British Isles, means the Cotswolds has one of the largest concentration of antique shops outside of London.  Minster Lovell, one of the few villages that can claim provenance to King Richard III, means the area is an Aladdin's cave for lovers of history, art & antiques. To take advantage, the Old Swan & Minster Mill, a de Savary Property, located in Minster Lovell, has created a special two-night "Antique & History Trail" experience on 11th - 13th October '13, allowing guests the opportunity to take advantage of the hotel's Antique Trail and nearby historical interests.  

Minster Lovell Hall ruins, a short walk from the Old Swan & Minster Mill, is a must for historians. Once home to the notorious Francis, the ninth baron and loyal servant to King Richard III, Richard was a frequent visitor to Minster Lovell Hall, and even bestowed the title of Viscount Lovell to Francis, a devout Yorkist. Stopping off at the Old Swan, a coaching inn during the time of the King's reign, the "King Richard III" room - believed to be where the King stayed more than once is available for guest's to book and will only add to the historical weekend.

With the Old Swan & Minster Mill's trail, guests will have the opportunity to be immersed in a weekend of history, by visiting the many antique shops and galleries, as well as learning about the fascinating and "topical" history that Minster Lovell conceals and how following the defeat of the House of York and death of Richard III in the battle of Bosworth in 1485, the hall passed into the hands of the Crown. Graham Kew local history authoritarian, will give guests an in-depth organised historical talk.

The Antiques & History Trail is priced at £510.00 and Includes:

Two nights in a Minster Mill room (£100 to upgrade to an Old Swan room) Daily Breakfast A two-hour Historical Guided Tour to Minster Lovell Hall Ruins  ` Tickets to Blenheim Palace, Park and Gardens Three-course evening dinner in the Old Swan on Saturday night complete with a talk from *John Howard, antiques specialist and the Chairman of the Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers Association (CADA).  A complimentary decanter of sloe gin in the room upon check-in (£40 supplement per person for three course dinner on Friday night)

Telephone: 01993 774441 Email: enquiries@oldswanandminstermill.com, Website: www.oldswanandminstermill.com.

For further information on the nearby galleries and antiques shops, please visit http://www.oldswanandminstermill.com/antiques-trail-at-old-swan.html. 

For further press information, please contact Sally Firth on 07956 939915, or 0208 785 6184.

Notes to Editors: CADA (The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers' Association) was formed in 1978 and is the first and pre-eminent art and antique regional association in the UK. Membership comprises of 47 dealers of knowledge, integrity and reputation. The expertise within the membership spans a wide variety of art and antiques, many of the members are world renowned specialists in their field.

*John Howard is an internationally recognised authority on 18th and 19th century British pottery. He is Chairman of the ceramics vetting committee at the Olympia Fine Art and Antiques fairs in London, a member of the ceramic vetting teams at the BADA Fair, as well as at the Ceramics Fair held in New York and other fairs in the United States and England.