Burford's Buildings, Central High Street

The western side of central High Street, rising gently from Priory Lane, also contains several medieval buildings, although most are hidden behind later façades and shopfronts. The row included two of Burford's principal medieval inns, both near the crossroads: the George (No. 104) and the New Inn (No. 124), later renamed the Crown. A small nearby building (No. 96) bears the mark of prominent 16th-century mercer Simon Wisdom. Four other buildings became inns or pubs in the 18th or 19th centuries, when most neighbouring buildings were shops. Two of Burford's cramped 19th-century cottage yards grew up behind Nos. 56 and 64 (The College) and No. 104 (George Yard).