The pretty British town is the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ and packed with independent shops, but there’s one drawback
Nestled amongst stunning countryside and brimming with wonderful independent retailers, I had the pleasure of exploring the picturesque UK town dubbed the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds ‘. The delightful high street feels like stepping back in time with its historic watering holes and structures spanning several centuries, yet one irritating issue mars the experience.
Burford is located in the Cotswold hills in West Oxfordshire, approximately two miles from the Gloucestershire border and 18 miles from Oxford city.
The location is rich in heritage and charm, with Burford’s beloved high street sloping downhill towards the River Windrush, where visitors traverse the water using a charming three-arched medieval bridge.
However, the Express reports that one factor that slightly dampens a trip to this town (even attempting to cross the historic bridge on foot is quite nerve-wracking!) is the constant stream of vehicles travelling along the high street.
Each side of the thoroughfare is “flanked by an unbroken line of ancient houses and shops” according to Discover Burford on the Cotswolds website — which rings true, yet navigating across the road proves challenging.
Burford High Street remains timeless and attractive, yet heavy goods vehicles, motorcars and large SUVs hurtle along the road — and the section where it becomes tighter, approaching the medieval bridge, proves especially hazardous for those on foot.
However, visitors will find numerous remarkable shops, tea rooms, pubs and eateries housed within stunning historic buildings, and the La Bulle handbag shop particularly stands out, offering Italian leather goods alongside fabulous clothing.
Crossing from one side of the high street to the other proves challenging due to the constant traffic flow. Fortunately, pedestrian crossings are available and represent the safest and only sensible method of navigating across the high street.
My visit took place in August, and Burford proved truly unforgettable. It allows visitors to transport themselves back in time, as, aside from present-day traffic jams, little else has altered.
The Cotswolds Discover Burford page states: “Little has changed over the centuries, Burford is popular with visitors, both for its beauty and history but also for its shopping, especially antiques, and for the wide variety of places to eat, with restaurants, pubs and teashops.
“Here you can stay in a hotel frequented by King Charles and Nell Gwynn, dine where Nelson dined — or visit England’s oldest pharmacy, a chemist since 1734.
“There are wonderful alleyways and side streets just waiting to be explored and next to a set of medieval almshouses stands St John’s church, a permanent memorial to Burford’s medieval wealth.”
For those seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of Burford’s shopping streets, nearby walking trails lead into the serene Windrush Valley. Here, you can amble through verdant fields, charming villages, and even stumble upon a 13th-century church nestled in a field.
The quaint St Olwald’s church, located in Widford, offers a tranquil retreat for a few hours. Encircled by rural landscapes and nature, this 13th-century sanctuary was erected on the site of a former Roman villa — and is only accessible on foot.