Minstead ‘ Must Sees’

Minstead was referred to in the Domesday book as Mintestede (Mint place) because of  the  abundance of  mint that grew wild in the village. Minstead village is set amidst a maze of lanes and is littered with pretty thatched cottages and is mostly surrounded by forest.  Minstead Must  Sees include…

All Saints, 12th century church – A Grade I Listed church, which is set in a woodland glade and reached by a narrow lane from the village. Here you will find..

An unusual three decker Pulpit made of Forest Oak,  a posh pew with a fireplace,  the grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his second wife Jean,the grave of the Purkess family who are believed to have carried the body of King Rufus on a cart to Winchester, and infamously the grave of Mr White whose wife allegedly removed the word “faithful” from ”faithful husband” after listening to village gossip!

Minstead Village Green with its ‘village seat’ and chestnut tree celebrating the silver Jubilee of King George and Queen Mary.  See also the  stocks for village miscreants such as John Purkess who in 1641 was fined for keeping too many geese on the green. No visit  is complete without visiting Minstead Village Shop situated on the green with its coffee shop area.  The shop is the hub of the community and here you will find lots of useful visitor information.

The Trusty Servant Inn across the road serves fine ales and excellent  pub food.

The Rufus Stone Minstead
Marking the spot where King William Rufus was shot by an arrow fired by Sir Walter Tyrell whilst hunting the forest. Nearby is an atmospheric narrow lane with a small post box on the corner where Sir Walter Tyrrell allegedly fled

Adam and Eve are reputedly two of the oldest oak trees in the New Forest and can be found in the lane  just round the corner from Minstead Village Shop.  Look out for thatched Shovel Cottage where shovels were made and don’t forget Malwood Lodge which was built by Sir William Harcourt on the site of an iron age hill fort. In 1886, as Chancellor of the Chequer, he introduced death duties.

Football Green is a curiosity as it was named Football Green in 1787 but is now a cricket pitch.

A firm favourite is Furzey Gardens, a beautiful informal garden with lakes, azaleas, rhododendrons, tree top houses and a thatched cottage serving as an art gallery.

Minstead Village Hall was formerly two large army huts. It is the largest village hall in the forest with excellent facilities.

There is so much to see and do in the New Forest village of Minstead you will never want to leave.