Burford

Burford is often known as the "gateway to the Cotswolds". Being 18 miles west of Oxford, 2 miles from the Oxfordshire borde, and on the southern bank of the River Windrush. the town dates back to the 'iddle 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. Much "restoration" then seemed to 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 start the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Not all of the wall paintings were destroyed, and many can still be seen today.

By bus

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

• Stagecoach Service 233Woodstock - Hanborough - Witney - Burford

• Swanbrook Coaches Service 853Oxford → Cassington (A40) → Witney → Minster Lovell → Burford → Northleach → Andoversford → Cheltenham → Gloucester

• Villager Community Buses ServiceRun a limited service on some days.

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 , 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.

• Charlbury Railway Station

  address: Station Approach, off Dyers Hill, Charlbury, OX7 3HH

• Shipton Railway Station

  address: Station Rd, Shipton-under-Wychwood OX7 5FJ

By bicycle

• National Cycle Route 57Passes through the town. Cycle route runs Farmington, Gloucestershire near Northleach to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire.

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.

• St John the Baptist

  phone: +44 1993 823788
  address: Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY
  Large Anglican church in Burford. Built in 1175, the church has some interesting features.

• Tolsey Museum

  address: 122 High St, Burford OX18 4QU
  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.

• WalkThere is a lovely walk from Burford to Little and Great Barrington.

• Cotswold Wildlife Park

  phone: +44 1993 823006
  address: Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP

• Levellers DayAnnual 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.

• W. J. Castle

  phone: +44 1993 822113
  address: 111 High St, Burford OX18 4RG
  Fantastic butchers.

• Burford Sweets

  phone: +44 1993 824344
  address: 94 High St, Burford OX18 4QF
  A small confectioner that sells sweets usually in 100 g (3 oz) from a jar.

• Burford Garden Company

  phone: +44 1993 823117
  address: Shilton Rd, Burford OX18 4PA
  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.

• The Co-op

  phone: +44 1993 823038
  address: 76 High St, Burford OX18 4QF
  A local convenience store.

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.

• Antiques @ the George

  phone: +44 1993 823319
  address: 104 High St, Burford, OX18 4QJ
  A range of affordable antiques.

• Burford Antiques Centre

  phone: +44 1993 823227
  address: The Roundabout/Cheltenham Rd, Burford OX18 4JA

• Huffkins Tea Room

  phone: +44 1993 822126
  address: 98 & 96 High St, Burford OX18 4QF
  A lovely tea room serving anything from a traditional cream tea with home-baked scones to a good plate of bangers and mash. Very popular with locals and tourists. Child friendly. shop and tea rooms opening hours vary through year

• The Lamb Inn

  phone: +44 1993 823155
  address: Sheep St, Burford OX18 4LR
  Good food, pleasant interior. A stones throw from the High Street.

• The Mermaid

  phone: +44 1993 822193
  address: 78 High St, Burford OX18 4QF
  Restaurant serving traditional food in a traditional setting.

• Wychwood Deli

  address: The Green, Milton-under-Wychwood, OX7 6GF
  Local deli.

• The Priory

  phone: +44 1993 823249
  address: 35 High St, Burford OX18 4QA

• The Spice Lounge

  phone: +44 1993 823340
  address: 81 High St, Burford OX18 4QA

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

• The Angel at Burford

  phone: +44 1993 822714
  address: 14 Witney St, Burford OX18 4SN
  A 16th-century coaching inn. Pub serving food.

• The Bay Tree

  phone: +44 1993 822791
  address: Sheep St, Burford OX18 4LW
  Nice pub.

• Royal Oak

  phone: +44 1993 823278
  address: 26 Witney St, Burford OX18 4SN
  Good pub, run by locals.

• The Cotswold Arms

  phone: +44 1993 822227
  address: 46 High St, Burford OX18 4QF

• Travelodge Burford

  phone: +44 8719 846018 (premium)
  address: Bury Barn A40, Burford OX18 4JF
  Wi-Fi. Free on-site parking

• The Fox Inn

  phone: +44 1451 844385
  address: Great Barrington OX18 4TB
  A traditional pub in small village near Burford. On the River Windrush, with great garden and traditional pub meals. Worth a visit for a pint, or to stay.

• The Highway Inn

  phone: +44 1993 823661
  address: 117 High St, Burford OX18 4RG

• The Burford House Hotel

  phone: +44 1993 823151
  address: 99 High St, Burford OX18 4QA

• Post Office

  address: Burford News, 107 High St, Burford OX18 4RG

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.

• Bourton-on-the-Water 9 miles NW.
• Stratford-Upon-Avon 30 miles N.
• Witney 8 miles E.
• Stow-on-the-Wold 10 miles N.
• Cirencester 18 miles W.