Burford

Visiting St. John the Baptist Church and The Hill in Burford, UK

Burford is one of the picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, often referred to as the Gateway to the Cotswolds due to its location on the far east side of the region. It lies along the River Windrush and is known for its Tudor and Georgian shops and homes that line The Hill, the main street that runs through the center of the village.

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Burford is probably most often visited as part of a more comprehensive tour of the Cotswolds. The highlights can easily be seen during a morning or afternoon. Despite the small size, this little village is not insignificant. On the contrary, it is chok full of history and ranks among the top places to visit in the area.

For reference, we were in Burford in early May. It started out a bit overcast, and then cleared off. The wisteria was in full bloom and the temperature was mild. I can’t imagine there is ever a bad season to visit Burford. It exudes charm even when the skies are dreary.

Top things to do in Burford

• St. John the Baptist Church
• Burford Hill
• Shopping
• The Tolsey Museum
• Other Points of Interest

St. John the Baptist Church

Church Green, Burford | Website

St. John the Baptist Church dates to 1175 and is one of the top 10 visited churches in England. Before entering the church, we passed through the churchyard, which has some of the largest and heavily inscribed tombstones I’ve ever seen. Among those buried here are a group of soldiers, known as The Levellers, who mutinied during the English Civil War, but were caught, imprisoned in the church, and then executed.

Above photo: St. John the Baptist Church

The building and expansion of church has an interesting backstory spanning about 400 years. The oldest parts of the structure are around the West Door, with the remaining majority being built during the 15th-century. The tomb of Sir Lawrence and Lady Tanfield in the old St. Katherine’s Chapel, along with the pre-Reformation stained glass windows, were the most memorable parts of our visit.

Upper and Left: The tomb of Sir Lawrence and Lady Tanfield; Right: Nave of St. John the Baptist Church

The church is open and free to visit Monday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. While we were there, I noticed a couple guided tours and local parishioners answering questions. It is evident that the Burford community is still active in the church and in the re-telling of its history.

Above photos: Stained glass windows of St. John the Baptist Church

Burford Hill

Burford Hill is exactly that — a hill. It is the main artery that runs from the River Windrush up a gentle slope lined with shops, restaurants, and townhomes. The lower part of the hill is more commercial, while the top is residential. We walked up as far as the War Memorial and then came down the other side of the street. It is very picturesque and beautifully maintained.

Above photos: The Hill

Shopping

Burford is touted as one of the better places to do a little shopping in the Cotswolds. Bear in mind, anything more than a few scattered shops is considered “good shopping.” I didn’t end up purchasing anything on The Hill, but did have a great deal of fun wandering through several art galleries and antique shops.

There are also a handful of kitschy home decor shops and specialty boutiques. I thought the Oxford Brush Company was a unique find with its wide array of natural, sustainable brushes. There are also some very tempting bakeries and culinary shops.

Above photo: Shops in Burford

The Tolsey Museum

126 High St, Burford | Website

The Tolsey Museum is located oughly half way up/down Burford Hill. It was formerly a 16th-century meeting house for merchants, primarily supporting the wool trade. Today, it houses The Tolsey Museum, which highlights Burford’s social and industrial past. It is absolutely fascinating to see the photos of Burford through the years and realize how little has changed since the town was first built.

The museum is open and free to visit daily from April to the end of October, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Opening hours are limited during the November and December, and entirely closed from January through March.

Above photos: The Tolsey Museum

Other Points of Interest

There are a few other interesting things to see in and near Burford that are worth a mention. The medieval Bridge Over River Windrush spans the river and connects A361 with The Hill. It is usually congested with traffic and not the best place to hop out for a photo. However, if you have time, you can walk along the river bank on foot after parking nearby.

On the other side of The Hill, off A40, the Burford Garden Company is a huge, 15-acre garden center, home decor shop, and cafe. It is a great place to come for outdoor living inspiration. It is said to be especially great to visit during the Christmas season when it is decorated to the hilt. More info and opening hours can be found here.

Finally, Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens is located just a couple miles south of Burford on A361. We ran out of time to visit, but I came across quite a few mentions of it during my research. The park is home to 250 species of animals that roam its 160-acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Sounds like a great place to bring the kids! More info and opening hours can be found here.

Where we ate in Burford

We had lunch at The Lamb Inn in Burford before moving on to the little gem of Bibury. This traditional Cotswold restaurant has a super cozy atmosphere and seasonal menus. You can’t go wrong. This is also a great place to stay if you are considering basing yourself in Burford while visiting the many surrounding villages. For current rates or to book a table, click here.

Above photos: The Lamb Inn

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