Burford: History, Walking Routes and Events

If you are considering Burford as a destination for a hotel stay, different interests may influence your decision: an independent walking tour, local history around the Tolsey and the church, or recurring events. You can consider the routes, historic sites and event schedules separately before choosing Burford as a destination.

Walking routes with different focuses

The Self Guided Walking Tour of Burford is a circular route of just under 1 mile (1.4 km), taking about an hour. It passes historic buildings in the town and can be used offline after downloading. Burford and Beyond also starts in Burford and follows a circular route through Signet, Holwell and Westwell. On Burford & The Windrush Valley, the route runs through Burford down the steep High Street to the medieval bridge over the River Windrush. The routes therefore differ in their stated focuses: historic buildings, three named places, or the High Street and river bridge.

The Tolsey, the museum and church history

The Burford Tolsey Museum is housed in the Tolsey, a building on Burford High Street. The building was constructed as a market house in the early 16th century: traders paid tolls there to use the market facilities, and the Borough Court met in the Tolsey. The museum is halfway along the High Street. Its former use as a market house and courthouse therefore sits alongside its present-day function as a museum.

The Burford Tolsey Archive opened in November 2022 to collect, preserve and share written and oral histories, as well as images, from Burford. Burford Church has around 850 years of history. It is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, except at Christmas, Easter and New Year. Services and events may affect access. If you plan to visit the church on a particular day, check access before your visit.

Events with different schedules

The Burford Festival takes place every two years. Its programme spans culture, visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literature, science, heritage, horticulture and crafts. Its activities and entertainment aim to appeal to different parts of the community. The annual Living History Village and Dragon Parade in Burford commemorates the famous battle of 752 AD between King Aethelbald of Mercia and King Cuthred of the West Saxons. The Oxfordshire group of Regia Anglorum demonstrates crafts from the period depicted; the event also includes a battle re-enactment on a recreation ground. Levellers Day is also held annually in Burford and commemorates the 1649 event involving the Levellers. If you plan to travel for a particular event, check the exact dates before arranging your trip around it.

Getting there by bus

Bus route 233 connects Woodstock and Burford via Bladon, Long Hanborough, North Leigh, Witney, Minster Lovell and Carterton. Buses run every 30 minutes, and hourly on Sundays. From Oxford to Witney, route S1 connects with the 233 to Burford. Check the operator’s information before travelling, especially departure times and connections between routes.

Discover more destinations: Charney Bassett, Murcott, Forest Hill, Alvescot, Faringdon, Swinbrook, Hook Norton, Witney.

For the broader travel overview: Oxfordshire.