Burford - Medieval Town & Church

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Burford Medieval Town & Church, with Explorers helping the mayor follow pirate Ivor Fortune's secret map and track down the riches he is said to have buried in Burford.

The quest covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll make a circular journey around this picturesque Cotswolds town, starting outside the Tolsey Museum on the High Street, weaving through Burford's historic streets and lanes, crossing a bridge over the River Windrush and finishing back at the starting point.

The route is paved virtually all of the way and is wheelchair accessible, but it is not suitable for pushchairs. Some lanes have no pavement, so you may need to walk on the road in places.

Take care on lanes with no pavement, watch for traffic, cross roads carefully and keep Mini Explorers close around the bridge over the River Windrush.

Getting There

By car: Your treasure hunt begins outside the Tolsey Museum on the High Street, opposite The Highway Inn, OX18 4QU. Free parking is available at Burford (Guildenford) Car Park, OX18 4SE; if you park here, you can start your search at Clue 12 to save time. Burford Car park is another option; if you park here, you can start your search at Clue 12 to save precious exploration time.

By public transport: Make your way to the High Street in Burford, then head for the Tolsey Museum, opposite The Highway Inn, to begin the quest. The circular route finishes back at the same starting point.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available at the Visitor's Information Centre on the High Street between Clues 06 and 07, and also in the car park off Guildenford at Clue 11.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route is paved virtually all of the way, but some lanes have no pavement, so keep dogs close where you may need to walk along the road. Take extra care around traffic, road crossings and the bridge over the River Windrush.

Food & Drink Stops

There are plenty of pubs, cafes and shops along the way where hungry treasure hunters can get a drink and/or a bite to eat. The Cotswold Arms is passed on the route too, giving your crew another handy place to pause while tracking Ivor Fortune's loot.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Burford town centre and High Street

Burford's historic town centre is well worth enjoying at a slower pace once the fortune hunt is complete. The town was ranked sixth in Forbes Magazine's list of 'Europe's Most Idyllic Places to Live', and was the only British town to make the top ten.

Tolsey Museum

The quest begins outside the Tolsey Museum, an early Tudor building with a collection of local artefacts showing the social and industrial heritage of the Burford area. It was once the medieval meeting point for wealthy wool merchants and where they paid their taxes. Admission is free.

The Church of St John the Baptist

This church adds a serious slice of history to the adventure. In 1649 it was used as a prison during the Civil War, when the New Model Army Banbury mutineers were held there. Some of the 340 prisoners left carvings and graffiti which can still be found in the church.

The oldest pharmacy in England

Keep an eye out for the pharmacy on the corner of Sheep Street and High Street. It has been around since it was first let as an apothecary on 16th July, 1734, and has been owned by the same family since Robert Reavley bought it in 1918.