Major city · United Kingdom
Burford
Give Burford one night, or a half-day stop on the A40: the High Street takes 2 hours, the church and Tolsey Museum another 2.
Burford is a small Cotswold town on the River Windrush, 18 miles west of Oxford, with a single main street that slopes down to a stone bridge over the river. It has no railway station, so it works best as a car or bus stop between Oxford, Witney and Cheltenham, or as a quiet one-night base for the western Cotswolds. Two hours covers the High Street; half a day adds the church and the museum.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (short days, some closures)
- Airports
- LHR · LGW
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Burford999 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance999
- Police, fire and ambulance (EU-wide)112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Burford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyBurford is a low-crime small town and safe to walk at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire and ambulance · 112 police, fire and ambulance (eu-wide) · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLHR London Heathrow (About 1 h 45 min by road via the M40 and A40; no direct rail link to Burford.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a tea room£3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of beerHigher than the old £2.50–3 range in the source; check current prices.£4–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Tolsey Museum)check£3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedHostel or pub bunk bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per room£250 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LHR London Heathrow (About 1 h 45 min by road via the M40 and A40; no direct rail link to Burford.) · LGW London Gatwick (About 2 h 30 min by road; train to Oxford then bus is slower.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Burford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk end to end in about 15 minutes. Buses (Stagecoach 233, Swanbrook 853) link Burford with Witney, Oxford and Cheltenham, but services are infrequent, especially on Sundays. A car is the practical way to reach nearby villages; the free car park at the bottom of town can fill on summer weekends (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Oxford
goDoor to door: About 1 h by bus
Swanbrook bus 853 from the High Street, or drive the A40
Bus runs a few times a day and rarely on Sundays: check the timetable first.
Witney
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Stagecoach 233 or Swanbrook 853, or 8 miles by car on the A40
Market town with more shops and a bigger supermarket.
Chipping Norton
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car (check)
Car on the A361, or bus with a change
Cotswold town with a theatre; easier by car.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
goDoor to door: About 10 min
Car, 2.5 miles south on the A361
Half a day with children; check opening hours and prices before you go.
Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water
goDoor to door: 20–30 min each (check)
Car on the A424 and A429
Both are busy in summer; go early for parking.
Cheltenham and Gloucester
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Swanbrook 853, or car on the A40
Bus is slow and infrequent; a car is faster.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
High Street and Sheep Street
Inns and hotels on the main street; walk to everything, but parking is limited and some bays are 2-hour only.
Witney Street
Quieter end of town near the Angel and Royal Oak pubs; still a 5-minute walk to the centre.
A40 edge and nearby villages
Cheaper chain and pub rooms with free parking; you need a car or a bus to reach the High Street.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £130 | £130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Bus Burford–Oxford, one way2 × £8 · check | £16 |
| Cotswold Wildlife Park adult ticket2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 · check | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £37 |
| Trip total≈ £202 per person per day, bed included | £403≈ US$550 |
check
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Burford excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a tea room | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Cream tea with scones | £7–12 (≈ US$10–16) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beerHigher than the old £2.50–3 range in the source; check current prices. | £4–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Museum entry (Tolsey Museum)check | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No railway station: the nearest are Charlbury (9 miles) and Shipton (5 miles), both needing a taxi or bus onward.
- Some street parking is limited to 2 hours and is clearly signed; check before you leave the car.
- Buses are infrequent and Sunday services are very limited: check times before you rely on them.
- Many shops and tea rooms close early and some shut one or two days a week.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 999
- Police, fire and ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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BurfordBurford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance999
- EU-wide emergency112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Burford; the nearest are in London. US citizens can use the US Embassy in London (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Burford → Oxford, Swanbrook 853: about £8 (≈ US$11) one way, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Charlbury station → Burford: £20–30 (≈ US$30–40), about 20 min (check)
- Taxi Shipton station → Burford: £15–25 (≈ US$20–35), about 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the only language needed here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Burford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (short days, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LHR and LGW: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: High Street, Church Green and the bridge, Sheep Street, the A40 edge.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (St John the Baptist, Tolsey Museum, Cotswold Wildlife Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rain and closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialBurford Town Council
- officialSt John the Baptist Church, Burford
- officialTolsey Museum
- officialCotswold Wildlife Park
- officialStagecoach Service 233
- officialSwanbrook Coaches Service 853
- officialNational Rail — Charlbury station
- secondaryWikivoyage: Burford, revision 5242184 (CC BY-SA 4.0)