Burford

Burford is a picturesque town in the Cotswolds.

Understand
St John the Baptist Church

Burford is often known as the "gateway to the Cotswolds". Lying 18 miles W of Oxford, 2 miles from the Oxfordshire border, and on the southern bank of the River Windrush. The town dates back to the middle Saxon period and is recorded in the Doomsday Book as being an "agricultural village" However, around 1100 the town was granted its charter meaning that today, despite having a population of only 1,400 it is technically a "town".

The decision that the railway be routed through Charlbury undoubtedly affected the town's prosperity but also allowed it to maintain its character.

The town church was instrumental in the formation of Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. In 1874 designer William Morris visited Burford Church and was appalled by the "restoration" works being carried out. In that era much "restoration" seemed involve destroying (or significantly altering) the genuine old features to replace them with "sham" modern imitations. On his visit to Burford Church he witnessed the ongoing destruction of the medieval wall paintings and was prompted to setup the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Not all the wall paintings were destroyed and many can still be seen today.

Get in

By bus

A number of different buses run between Burford and other local towns.

By road

By car you can reach Burford easily via the A40 from Oxford or Cheltenham directions. Otherwise you can come in from the direction of Stow-on-the-Wold on the A424 which is a beautiful drive.

There is a 🌍 free car-park at the bottom end of town, and car-parking on the streets as well as at Burford Recreation Ground off Tanners Lane. Be careful, though, as parking in some areas is limited to 2 hours - this is clearly marked. Most of the hotels also have their own car-parking.

By train

There's no station in Burford. Most services stop at Charlbury Station whilst slightly closer Shipton has a more limited service. Both stations are on the line to Oxford and Worcester. There are direct trains to London Paddington twice an hour.

By bicycle

Get around

The town is small enough to walk everywhere. The lovely high street has many shops, pubs and tea rooms to spend a pleasant afternoon browsing.

See
High Street
Witney Street
  • 🌍 St John the Baptist, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY, ☎ +44 1993 823788, e-mail: . Large Anglican church in Burford. Built in 1175, the church has some interesting features. 
  • 🌍 Tolsey Museum, 122 High St, Burford OX18 4QU. Early Apr-late Oct: Tu-Su 2-5PM. Local museum featuring exhibits such as a charter from Henry VIII granting a fair and a doll's house modelled after the Great House on Witney St. The museum is situated on the first floor (up stairs) of the Tolsey so there is no disabled access. (updated Sep 2017)

Do
Levellers Day Morris Dancing
  • Walk. There is a lovely walk from Burford to Little and Great Barrington. 
  • 🌍 Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP (2½ miles S of Burford), ☎ +44 1993 823006, e-mail: . Apr-Oct: 10AM-6PM; Nov-Mar: 10AM-5PM or dusk. Adult £15; Children & seniors £10. (updated Jun 2017)
  • Levellers Day. Annual commemorative event remembering the execution of 3 soldiers in Burford Churchyard on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. They belonged to a movement known as the Levellers, with beliefs in civil rights and religious tolerance. Speeches, rally, debates, refreshments, stalls, music. (updated Jun 2017)

Buy
  • 🌍 W. J. Castle, 111 High St, Burford OX18 4RG, ☎ +44 1993 822113. Tu-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-4PM. Fantastic butchers. 
  • 🌍 Burford Sweets (The Sweet Shop), 94 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☎ +44 1993 824344. M-Sa: 9AM-5:30PM, Su: 10AM-5PM. A small confectioner that sells sweets usually in 100 g (3 oz) from a jar. (updated Oct 2018)
  • 🌍 Burford Garden Company (Burford Garden Centre), Shilton Rd, Burford OX18 4PA, ☎ +44 1993 823117, e-mail: . M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A large and notable garden centre, but due to its size it's like a department store. They sell toys, clothing, confectionery, souvenirs, furniture and antiques. Also has an upmarket café. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 🌍 The Co-op (The Co-operative), 76 High St, Burford OX18 4QF, ☎ +44 1993 823038. M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 7AM-10PM. A local convenience store. (updated Jun 2017)

As with much of the Cotswolds antiques are a big thing in Burford. There are regular Antique fairs which take place at the church and in one of the buildings on the high street. There are also antique shops selling some beautiful things.

Eat

Drink
Burford Royal Oak

There are a number of good pubs in Burford with pints costing around £2.50 to £3 each.

Sleep

Connect
  • 🌍 Post Office, Burford News, 107 High St, Burford OX18 4RG. M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 7AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Go next

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Oxford isn't too far away and is a good next stop if you're leaving the Cotswolds. Swanbrook bus no. 853 runs to Oxford and surrounding towns. Check the schedule as this does not run frequently - especially on Sunday.

If you want to see other attractive villages in the Cotswolds, then Broadway, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold could be good places to head to.

Roads are flat and good for cycling.

Routes through Burford

Gloucester ← Cheltenham ←  W  E  → Witney → Oxford
Banbury ← Chipping Norton ←  N  S  → Highworth → Swindon


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