Burford at a glance
Burford is a small town where the High Street runs downhill and most of the interest lies along it. The photographs on this site show the street from the top of the hill and the shops along the way. The town church, St John the Baptist, stands on Church Green and is open to visitors on set hours.
It is an easy stop to add to a drive through the Cotswolds. It also appears on day tours from London, so you may see a coach party in the middle of the day. A visit on your own usually takes a couple of hours if you walk the street, see the church and have a drink or a meal.
How to park in Burford
The main car park for visitors is Guildenford. It is free, and the limits are set by bay type.
Short-stay bays
There are 97 short-stay spaces with a limit of 4 hours. That is enough for the High Street, the church and a meal.
Long-stay bays
There are 64 long-stay spaces with a limit of 10 hours. Use these if you plan a long walk or a full day in the town.
No overnight or permanent parking
The time limits are limits, not a right to leave the car for days. If you are staying overnight in Burford, ask your host where to park.
The council that runs the car park can change its rules. Read the signs when you arrive, as the limits on the day count.
Cotswold tours that stop in Burford
Day trips from London and small-group Cotswold tours, with live prices and availability.
The church of St John the Baptist
The church is on Church Green. Visitors are welcome from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00, and on Sunday between 13:00 and 16:00. It is not open to visitors on Christmas, Easter and New Year. Services and events can also close it to sightseers, so look at the notice board before you go in.
Printed guides are free. The church asks for donations towards the upkeep of the building, and a small gift is the usual way to say thanks. Keep your voice low and do not walk through during a service.
The church website lists a few closing days in September but does not give a year for them. Do not rely on those dates. Check the notice at the door on the day.
A simple plan for a visit
One way to spend two to three hours in town.
Park and walk up
Leave the car at Guildenford and walk to the High Street. The street runs downhill, so the return leg is the uphill one. Wear shoes that suit a slope.
Walk the High Street
Take your time along the shops and cafés. Keep the pavement clear for residents when you stop for photographs.
Visit the church
Walk to Church Green and go in if it is open. Pick up a free printed guide and leave a donation if you can.
Parking compared with nearby towns
Charges as published in 2026. Rules and prices change, so read the signs on the day.
| Car park | Price (2026) | Hours charged |
|---|---|---|
| Burford, Guildenford | Free, 4 h or 10 h limit | – |
| Stow-on-the-Wold, Fosseway | Free | – |
| Stow-on-the-Wold, Maugersbury Road | 2 h £4.40, 3 h £5.50, 5 h £7.30, 10 h £10.60 | Mon to Sat 08:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–18:00 |
| Chipping Campden, Market Square | First 20 min free, 1 h £1, 2 h £2 | Daily 07:00–19:00 |
| Bourton-on-the-Water, Rissington Road | 2 h £4.40, 3 h £5.50, 5 h £7.30, 10 h £10.60 | Daily 10:00–20:00 |
Burford's free car park is a good reason to start a Cotswold day here, then drive on to a town where you pay by the hour.
Burford on a day tour
Two one-day tours from London include Burford. One runs as a small minicoach tour with a maximum of 16 people, and combines Oxford, Burford and Bibury. Another is a ten-hour coach tour that visits Burford, Bibury and Stow-on-the-Wold, with a lunch option in Bibury. On both, Burford is a stop with free time on the High Street rather than a full day.
If you want longer in the town, go on your own. Our tours from London page compares the options, and the Bibury guide and the Stow-on-the-Wold guide cover the other stops.
More to plan
Pages that fit well with a stop in Burford.
Stow-on-the-Wold
The market square, the church door and parking by the hour.
Bibury
Arlington Row, parking and respectful visiting.
12 towns and villages
A short guide to each place, from Castle Combe to Cirencester.
Where to stay
Stow, Chipping Campden, Burford, Broadway, Cirencester and Bibury compared.
Burford: frequently asked questions
Is parking free in Burford?
The Guildenford car park is free. It has 97 short-stay spaces with a 4-hour limit and 64 long-stay spaces with a 10-hour limit. The limits apply, so it is not for leaving a car for days.
When is Burford church open?
Monday to Saturday 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 13:00–16:00, except at Christmas, Easter and New Year. Services and events can stop visits.
Does the church charge an entry fee?
No. Printed guides are free and donations for the upkeep of the building are welcome.
How long do I need in Burford?
Two hours covers the High Street, the church and a drink or meal. Allow more time if you plan to eat a full lunch or walk further.
Can I visit Burford on a day trip from London?
Yes. Burford is a stop on two published one-day tours from London, one from Oxford and one running ten hours. On a tour you spend free time in the town, so a visit on your own gives you more time.