The Cotswolds gateway town that may not be action packed, but has lots of historic charms

Tucked away in north Oxfordshire, the charming old town of Burford lies on the fringes of the Cotswolds. Its quaint streets are lined with 16th-century buildings, while the top of Windrush valley hill offers breathtaking views of the rolling countryside and a picturesque medieval bridge spanning the river below.

Just a stone's throw from the Gloucestershire border, Burford is a treasure trove of period charm and historic architecture. As a former fortified ford in Anglo-Saxon times, the town evolved into a significant crossroads and a prosperous wool town, now attracting visitors from far and wide.

According to a tourist website, "Burford on the river Windrush was the site of a fortified ford in Anglo-Saxon times. The town grew to be an important crossroads and a very wealthy wool town and is today, very popular with visitors".

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While Burford may not be a hub of high-octane activity, it promises a unique adventure amidst its quintessentially English surroundings, complete with antique shops and a range of eateries and watering holes. Whether you choose to spend a leisurely day exploring or a relaxing weekend in a nearby hotel, Burford is an idyllic destination that's sure to captivate.

Places to eat, drink and shop

If you are after some English delights or perhaps an afternoon tea, take a pit stop to a local favourite - the award-winning British bakery and café tea rooms, Huffkins Cotswolds Bakery & Tearooms on the High Street. The family-run business offers everything from scones with jam and clotted cream to English teas. It provides breakfast and lunch seven days a week and you can buy festive family hampers with bottles of wine.

There is no point visiting Burford without stopping at some of the town's traditional British pubs such as The Mermaid, an 18th-century pub with a hearty British menu or the Cotswolds Arms on Priory Lane, known for its meals and ales.

You may find a perfect little trinket or antique to take home from the Three French Hens, the Madhatter Bookshop or even a hard boiled sweet to treat your loved ones after a visit to the Burford Sweet Shop.

Attractions

According to the Cotswolds website, nearby you can "stroll around the stunning Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens where you can get up close to 260 different animal species, or relax in beautiful gardens with a Victorian manor house". And Crocodiles of the World is close by, "boasting one of the widest collections in the world".

It's fair to say, Burford is a must-see English location and if you choose to check out this charming little town, a weekend at the Burford House is highly recommended as a cosy staycation hotspot. And if you only opt for a day trip out, here are a few things to see and do before you leave.

• Visit the Tolsey Museum, located in the medieval market building, for a flavour of Burford’s social, cultural and industrial past.

• Admire the Church of St John the Baptist, a Grade I listed building, & the Warwick almshouses next door.

• Walk down picturesque Sheep Street, past The Bay Tree Hotel, and on to Priory Lane.

• Spot the crenelated chimneys on the Palladian Great House in Witney Street, and continue your walk to St Oswald's church in Widford along the picturesque banks of the river.

This article was first published in November 2023 and was republished in November 2024