"Burford" Burford by leffe3

Burford is a busy market town approximately 20 miles west of Oxford.

With its origins from Saxon times and a crossing point of the River Windrush (hence ‘ford’), Burford is listed in the Domesday Book as an agricultural village. But this all changed at the end of the 11th century with the granting of a charter to hold independent markets.

With its location mid-way between Oxford and Cheltenham, Burford flourished – not only as a market town and a centre for the production of wool, but also a stopping point for coaches. In the 18th century as many as 40 coaches a day stopped in the town, explaining why there are so many inns (now pubs) in and around the town.

Decline set in when the railway line bypassed Burford in the 19th century, but modern day view is that such a decision is now to the benefit of the town – the charm of an old English market town has been retained. Cars, however, are a very different story, located as it is on the busy A40 running between Oxford and Cheltenham and the southern Gateway to the Cotswolds. A summer weekend in Burford can get very congested.

But it remains a delightful destination. With a population of around 1,000 it’s little more than a village – it’s having the market charter that defines it as a town. The High Street, although choked with cars, runs down the hill towards the river and is lined with old coaching inns, antique shops, restaurants, tearooms, delis and gift shops. St John the Baptist aside the Windrush is a beautiful parish church, small characterful streets wind away from High Street and just moments from the edge of town are the Cotswolds.