Burford Apple, Burford

Burford is possibly one of, if not the most famous of the Cotswolds’ locations. With its medieval bridge, old stone houses and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages, it is justifiably one of the most picturesque towns in England. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, the town was originally a fortified Anglo-Saxon ford which later grew to be an important regional crossroads and wealthy wool town. Located midway between Oxford and Cheltenham, it is a little haven of history and beauty that many come to fall in love with when they visit. The 16th century Tolsey building, once the meeting place for medieval merchants, now houses The Tolsey Museum, a delightful local museum illustrating the town’s social and industrial past. The church is stunning, a real gem architecturally with many interesting memorials charting some of Burford’s great families. There is also the signature, on the baptisimal font, of Antony Sedley, one of the Levellers besieged in the church in 1649 – three of the ringleaders were executed by Oliver Cromwell’s men in the churchyard. History awaits! With little change over the centuries, Burford is now very popular with visitors, both for its beauty and history but also for its shopping and antiques, and for the wide variety of places to eat, with restaurants, pubs and tea shops. It is an ideal base for visiting The Cotswolds area as it is within easy driving distance of popular attractions such as Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, Warwick Castle and several National Trust Houses and Gardens. Bourton on the Water, Bibury, Cirencester and Stow on the Wold are all within ten miles.