Burford

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For other uses, see Burford (disambiguation).

Map sources for Burford at grid reference SP2512

Looking north through Burford.

Priory of Our Lady.

Picturesque Burford.

Burford ( [ˈbɜːfəd] or [ˈbɝː-] in the IPA) is a Cotswold town in Oxfordshire, England. It lies about 30 kilometres west of Oxford on the River Windrush and is a popular centre for tourists who visit the Cotswolds, with many antique shops on the main street. The name derives from the Old English words burh meaning fortified town or hilltown and ford meaning ford.

The town centre features some houses dating from the 15th century. Its most notable building, however, is the Norman parish church. The church itself dates from the 15th century.

In 1649, the church was used as a prison (during the English Civil War), when the New Model Army Banbury mutineers were held there. Some of the 340 prisoners left carvings, which can still be found in the church.

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, Burford was important for its wool. The Tolsey is located in the centre of Burford's High Street; this was once the centre of the local wool trade. Today, the Tolsey is home to a museum.

Burford is an important crossing of the River Windrush, which can create a traffic bottleneck in high season and at peak travelling times.

Burford is home to the Blue Cross National Animal Welfare Charity. 'The Cotswold Wildlife Park' is also located near Burford, approximately 2 miles South down the A361 towards Lechlade.

The Priory of Our Lady, a community of Anglican Benedictine monks and nuns is to be found in the town.

Burford County Primary School is the town's primary school and is located in Priory Lane, and Burford School, a mixed comprehensive secondary school, is also found in the town.

Burford was recently twinned with Potenza Picena, a small town in the Marche, on the East Adriatic coast of Italy. Links are growing with many groups in the town including the school, football team and church.