Minstead Village is referred to in the Domesday Book as Mintestede (Mint place) because of the mint that grew wild here.
The Village Green has been used for many activities over the years. In 1641 a certain John Purkess was fined for keeping too many geese on the village green and the village gossip was ducked in the pond. There were stocks on the green from early times and in 1818 a James Gain, the carpenter, was paid 4 shillings for repairing a plank and making a new post for the stocks. A new set, to replace these, was made by Mike Brentnall to the style shown in an old painting, as part of the refurbishment for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. Minstead Parish Council