The history of Bizzieblue

Bizzieblue at Burford in the Cotswold hills

The name 'Burford' comes from the Old English words 'burh' (meaning fortified or hilltop town) and 'ford' (meaning a crossing place of the river).  Burford's steep main street runs downhill across the Windrush river by the ancient Packhorse bridge and on to Stow-on-the-Wold or Chipping Norton, whichever takes your fancy.  Burford has flourished as a market town from early medieval times.  It was built as a street of artisans shops and so it remains today.  Higgeldy-piggeldy, delightful golden Cotswold stone shops offer the visitor a delightful choice of places to browse.

The most fascinating emporium of all is Bizzieblue located halfway down the High Street and opposite the Post Office. The uniquely crooked front window displays an ever changing cornucopia of fabulous items from furniture and lamps to silk flowers that truly cannot be told from the real thing!

Bizzieblue's stock changes seasonally and because items sell so quickly (beware thinking that you can always come back later to make the purchase of some item that you really like - it may be gone!), so there is always something new to see.  The shopper can take home a 'memory' of an enjoyable trip to this quintessentially 'English' part of our countryside.

Other things to see in Burford

The 15th century church is worth a visit.  In 1649, it was used as a prison during the English Civil War, when the New Army Banbury mutineers were held there.  Some of the 340 prisoners left carvings in the church which can still be read.

Between the 14th and 17th centuries, Burford was important for its fine wool.  The Tolsey, found on the same side of the main street as Bizzieblue, was where the wool trading was centered.  Today it is a museum.