A stunning Cotswold town with a timeless, fairytale quality effortlessly surpasses many of its neighbouring villages, at least in my books. The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), renowned for its honey-stone cottages, undulating hills, cobbled lanes and wealth of scenic villages and market towns. Castle Combe and Bibury have long been regarded as the most breathtaking settlements in the Cotswolds, while Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold remain firm favourites amongst visitors.
While each of these destinations offers that quintessentially English charm and postcard-worthy scenery that transports you straight into a fairy tale, I discovered that Burford is even more captivating. The medieval market town in Oxfordshire is widely celebrated and continues to draw scores of visitors, yet its picturesque surroundings, iconic high street and reputation as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds' set it apart from the crowd.
A Saturday Afternoon in Burford
During a weekend jaunt through parts of the Cotswolds, I was thoroughly enchanted by what I uncovered in Burford, conveniently located just 40 minutes from Oxford and around two hours from London. Famed for its sweeping, sloping high street, it instantly captured my imagination and proved to be a wonderful spot to explore during a Saturday afternoon.
Burford boasts one of the most stunning streets I've come across. The Hill features rows of gorgeous honey-toned Cotswold stone houses with arched entrances and historic windows, adorned with purple wisteria and immaculately manicured hedges. A stroll from The Hill down along the High Street towards the meandering River Windrush was sufficient to whisk me away into a storybook setting.
Independent Shops and Tea Rooms
The High Street offers delights in the form of independent retailers and classic tearooms. Even on a brisk May afternoon, residents were seated outdoors beneath blankets, enjoying a portion of the day's bake. I took time exploring its range of independent boutiques and was thrilled to discover such variety.
There was a wealth of establishments, from homeware and gifts at Ma Maison Belle, plus No 31 Burford and Three French Hens, which was packed with coasters, signs, and everything you'd require for your adobe. I even discovered The Oxford Brush Company, a store devoted to stocking every kind of brush you could possibly imagine.
There's also a traditional confectionery shop with an enchanting green frontage that made me feel as though I had travelled back in time, stirring pure nostalgia. Elsewhere amongst the Tudor-style half-timbered structures on the famous High Street were Antiques at The George and a charming, traditional red post office that still showcased postcards and decorative flags around its entrance.
The Madhatter Bookshop
One of the standout attractions on the High Street must be The Madhatter Bookshop. With a clear nod to Alice in Wonderland, the bookshop is crammed with literature for readers of every age, featuring a doorway framed by books that leads into a bibliophile's paradise. Tucked away at the rear of the shop sits a colourful space filled with shelves overflowing with potential reads, unusual lighting, picture frames, and a comfortable sitting area where guests are genuinely invited to linger.
Tea and Cake
Following my exploration of its shops, I discovered the Davenford tea room for a coffee and cake break, and it proved wonderful. Choosing the Hummingbird carrot cake and lavender, orange and Earl Grey cake - it was a match made in heaven! The town's selection of coffee and cake is undoubtedly popular locally, with plenty of delightful tea rooms available. Other worthy mentions include Huffkins and The Priory, while there's also the Bakery on the Hill, Burford Pantry and the butchers, W J Castle Burford, where you can grab a warm sausage roll or a pork bap to go - I went for the latter!
Traditional Pubs and Practical Tips
Traditional pubs are also hidden along Burford's side streets, including the Angel and the Royal Oak, while others, including the Mermaid, occupy prominent positions on the celebrated high street. Their local supermarket, Your Coop Food, can also be located along the main road, and reflecting the town's quintessential character, it is where you can buy a wicker basket, I mean, it's the Cotswolds after all.
For visitors keen to discover this historic town, parking is available along the main high street, though securing a spot at weekends can prove challenging, as I discovered. Fortunately, a free car park sits just around the corner with ample space, although the access road is quite narrow and tends to get congested during busy periods.
