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Burford – a classic Cotswold town

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Our view

"Discover the delights of an ancient settlement with a long history on this attractive walk through the Windrush Valley."

Walk directions

Leave the car park and turn right along Church Lane and then head north along the High Street to the Windrush. Cross the river and turn right at the mini-roundabout towards Fulbrook. Pass the Carpenters Arms and continue along the road. Ignore a right turning for Swinbrook, then pass the last houses on the right. Keep ahead, passing Upper End on the left, and look for a footpath on the right.

Follow the steps cut into the side of the slope up to the field edge and then swing right. Follow the boundary to a waymark just before a slope and head diagonally left on a clear path to the far corner of the field. Go through a gap in the hedge and cross the field to an opening in the hedgerow. Go slightly left and cross the next field towards a curtain of woodland and make for a track.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Fields and riverside paths, tracks, country roads, several stiles

Landscape - Undulating Windrush Valley to the east of Burford

Dog friendliness - Under control across farmland; on lead where requested

Parking - Car park off junction of Guildenford and Church Lane, across the river

Toilets en route - Burford High Street and at the car park

Walks in Oxfordshire Dog-friendly walks in Oxfordshire

About the walk

Often described as the gateway to the Cotswolds, the picturesque town of Burford has changed little over the years. The High Street runs down between lime trees and mellow stone houses to a narrow three-arched bridge over the River Windrush. Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwynn, whose child was... the Earl of Burford, attended Burford races and stayed at the George Hotel. When she retired to Windsor, Gwynn called her home there Burford House. Situated at several major east–west and north–south crossing routes, Burford has always been regarded as an important trading centre. People would pay their tolls at the twin-gabled 15th-century Tolsey, now a museum, for the right to trade in the town and it was here that the prosperous Guild of Merchants conducted their meetings. Such was their power and influence that by the Middle Ages the merchants were running Burford. Take a stroll through the streets of the town and you’ll stumble across a host of treasures – especially in the little side roads leading off the High Street. For example, the Great House in Witney Street was the largest residence in Burford when it was built about 1690. With its Georgian façade, it certainly dwarfs the other buildings in the street. The Dolls’ House, dating back to 1939 and on view in the Tolsey Museum, is modelled on the Great House. Burford’s parish church, with its slender spire, is one of the largest in Oxfordshire. Begun about 1170, it was enlarged over subsequent centuries and one of its last additions was the south porch, noted for its elaborate stonework. The west doorway is pure Norman, as is the central part of the tower, to which another stage was added in the 15th century to provide a base for the spire. Inside the south porch the ceiling is fan vaulted, and inside the church there are five medieval screens dividing various chapels. This sizeable wool church is also associated with the Civil War Levellers – 800 parliamentarian troopers who mutinied at Salisbury over pay and then marched north to join other groups. On 14 May 1649, they reached Burford to negotiate a settlement with Fairfax, the Commander-in-Chief. However, Fairfax had different plans and, at midnight, he and Cromwell entered the town with 2,000 horsemen. Following a skirmish, they captured 340 men. The prisoners were held in the church where one of them carved his name on the font. Two days later, on 17 May, three ringleaders were shot in the churchyard. The Priory in Priory Lane is another of Burford’s historic buildings. This Elizabethan house, rebuilt in the early 1800s, still has its Tudor gables and the heraldic arms over the doorway recall William Lenthall (1591–1662) who lived here and was elected Speaker to the Long Parliament in 1640.

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About the area

Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:

475ft (145m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Oxfordshire

Burford – a classic Cotswold town

Recommended by

Our view

"Discover the delights of an ancient settlement with a long history on this attractive walk through the Windrush Valley."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:

475ft (145m)

Walk directions

1 of 5

2 of 5

Keep right and follow the track through the woodland. Break cover from the trees and pass a row of cottages. Continue down the track to Paynes Farm and, just beyond it, turn right to join a signposted right of way. Head for a gate and follow the unfenced track towards trees. Descend the slope to a gate and continue ahead between hedges up the hill to the road.

3 of 5

Turn right and follow the road down into a dip. Swing left at the stile and footpath sign for Widford, and follow the grassy ride through verdant Dean Bottom. Make for a stile at the bottom of the hill, turn right and visit Widford’s St Oswald’s church.

4 of 5

On leaving the church, veer right and follow the unmade track, passing a lake on the left. Turn left at the road, recross the Windrush and turn right at the junction. Keep to the road until you reach the first footpath on the right. Follow the riverside path across a series of stiles to eventually reach the road. Turn right towards Burford, pass the Great House and The Royal Oak, and return to the High Street. Turn right into Church Lane and back to the car park.

5 of 5

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Fields and riverside paths, tracks, country roads, several stiles

Landscape - Undulating Windrush Valley to the east of Burford

Dog friendliness - Under control across farmland; on lead where requested

Parking - Car park off junction of Guildenford and Church Lane, across the river

Toilets en route - Burford High Street and at the car park

Walks in Oxfordshire Dog-friendly walks in Oxfordshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Oxfordshire

Burford – a classic Cotswold town

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

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Burford – a classic Cotswold town

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