Burford Methodist Church, a unique church in Burford which was originally built as a grand mansion house is on the market for the first time in almost 175 years for offers over £650,000. The Grade II listed building is in a prominent position on Burford High Street and offers a unique development opportunity in the heart of the town.
Dating back to the 1700s, it was originally built as a grand mansion house in the Baroque style before being converted into a chapel in 1849. The interior was redesigned in 1949 by well-known Oxford architect Thomas Rayson, with inspiration taken from London-based church St Stephen Walbrook.
The main internal space comprises of four Corinthian columns supporting a ciborium canopy with a chandelier and significant attic space above. There are also two additional rooms at the rear of the building as well as a large basement floor containing a hall and further rooms.
The small cemetery to the rear of the property can either be made available via a 999-year lease with a peppercorn rent or can be retained by West Oxfordshire Methodist Circuit. The property has the potential for several alternative uses including conversion to residential or commercial uses including hospitality, education, and healthcare, subject to obtaining the necessary planning approval.
One of our partners and Head of our National Country Agency Team (NCAT), Matthew Allen, said: “Burford Methodist Church is unique in that it was a former manor house that was converted into a church later in its life. It has a striking façade that truly makes it stand out on Burford’s high street. Subject to planning permission, there are all sorts of possibilities for redevelopment. The property could be turned into a stunning single dwelling, high-end apartments, or a stylish bar or restaurant. It has a wealth of potential and opportunities to buy a property like this in the Cotswolds are incredibly rare, so we would encourage anyone interested to get in touch soon.”
