St Oswald's Church, Widford

Well worth the short walk from Burford. The church is a beautiful little time capsule.

Right now, restrictions mean you can't enter the building. Inside, medieval pre-reformation paintings have been uncovered. Outside, the solid stone building shows the results of building modifications of 1000 years.

If you have a chance, take a nice 35 -45 minutes walk one way from Burford. The path is really nice and easy with some stals (low gates for dogs). You can meet cows on the fields. Otherwise you can drive just few minutes and then access without obstacles (one cattle grid). Church is lovely, located on the hill. Check its history because is very interesting.

A very cute, ancient, church.

Just a stunning little piece of history just lying there waiting to be discovered. Beautiful walk leading to this lovely little church with some of the best preserved paintings from that era I have seen in major historical sites. This place should be visited more.

10 minute walk across the meadows from Swinbrook. Fascinating history with examples of 1400 century paintings on the walls

Nice walk through the fieldsBeautiful old church is all that remains of the ancient village of Widford

At a 40 minutes nice country side walk distance from Burford (6 minutes by car), you can find this nice little church. From the 13th century church of St Oswald, it retains its old mysticism and old fashion style. While it's difficult to find it open (see my pictures for opening times), you can take interior pictures from the windows. Use HDR photo app, and put the phone' s camera very close to the window. You'll appreciate well preserved old paintings on the walls.From here you can keep walking to the next close church: St Mary's Church, Swinbrook

This small isolated church is reached by walking across the fields. It is the only survivor of a village which was deserted after the Black Death.  It is a lovely setting with views down to the River Windrush and across open grassland with trees, hedges and a few isolated buildings.The church has been described as one of the most beautiful country churches in Oxfordshire. It was closed in 1859 and was used as a barn. It was restored in 1904 and is occasionally used for services.It is a tiny church with nave chancel and bell cote, set in a walled rectangular graveyard. It was built on the site of a Roman building and the guide book refers to the remains of a tessellated floor under the flagstones. No-one is sure when the first church was built, but local legend says the bones of St Oswald rested here overnight while being taken to Gloucester Cathedral for burial.The present church dates from the C12/13th although the chancel arch, corbels and tub font are earlier than this.Steps lead down into the church. Inside there are box pews and wall paintings. The double decker pulpit with a small reading desk, may have been made from the base panels of the rood screen. Above the chancel arch are boards with the Ten Commandments.

It is like many other old churches in England. However, this one is different as it has some original medieval paintings on the inside walls. I find that quite special.