Business Details
Emergency
services
England's Oldest Pharmacy Since 1734
Reavley Chemist stands as England's oldest pharmacy, serving the Burford community since 1734. Originally established as an apothecary within a historic coaching inn, our business has evolved through centuries while preserving traditional remedies and Victorian aesthetics. Under the Tuffour family's stewardship since 2019, we combine heritage with modern pharmaceutical expertise, offering NHS and private services including travel vaccinations, independent prescribing, and bespoke skincare formulations. Our pharmacy retains original features like Victorian apothecary drawers while introducing contemporary initiatives like local apprenticeships and graduate training programs.With uninterrupted service through generations of family ownership, we maintain a reputation for trusted healthcare advice and community-focused operations. Our qualified pharmacists provide 21st-century medical guidance within a setting that showcases apothecary history through preserved archives and equipment. We continue to dispense traditional remedies like Zam-Buk ointment alongside modern medications, serving both local residents and international visitors seeking authentic pharmaceutical heritage.
Services
Prescription Dispensing
Travel Vaccinations
Private Clinics
Traditional Remedies
Home Delivery
Health Checks
Weight Management
Acne Treatment
Flu Jabs
Independent Prescribing
Highlights and features
- We offer 288 years of continuous pharmaceutical expertise since 1734
- Our pharmacists provide independent prescribing services without GP appointments
- We maintain original Victorian apothecary equipment for traditional remedy preparation
- We offer free local home delivery for prescription medications
- Our heritage building houses historic pharmaceutical archives and artifacts
Services
Prescription Dispensing
We dispense NHS and private prescriptions with immediate availability for most medications. Our pharmacists handle veterinary prescriptions and EU prescriptions while maintaining child-resistant packaging standards. Emergency medication supply operates outside regular GP hours with qualified independent prescribers available for urgent needs.
Travel Vaccinations
Our travel clinic provides country-specific vaccination advice and anti-malaria medication. Qualified pharmacists conduct free private consultations to determine individual travel health requirements. We stock travel essentials like insect repellent and diarrhoea relief products for international journeys.
Traditional Remedies
We maintain historic remedy formulations including Zam-Buk ointment and Bengues Balsam using original 1930s methods. Our pharmacists prepare bespoke creams on Victorian glass slabs while preserving century-old recipe books. These discontinued commercial products remain available for treating minor skin conditions and muscular aches.
Private Clinics
Our independent prescriber offers GP alternative consultations for acne treatment and weight management. The cardiovascular health check service identifies CVD risks through cholesterol and blood pressure monitoring. We provide Orlistat, Mysimba, and Saxenda medications under professional supervision for obesity management.
Home Delivery
Free prescription delivery operates within Burford and surrounding villages. Our service caters to mobility-impaired residents requiring regular medication access. Delivery personnel maintain medication integrity during transport while ensuring timely prescription fulfillment for housebound patients.
People
Ben Tuffour
Superintendent Pharmacist
Qualified pharmacist with successful chemist operations in London, Essex, and Suffolk. Brings extensive commercial experience to Burford's historic pharmacy. Leads new initiatives while preserving traditional apothecary practices.
Ivy Tuffour
Co-Owner
Supports pharmacy operations alongside Ben Tuffour. Contributes business acumen from managing multiple chemist locations. Focuses on community engagement and service expansion in the Cotswolds region.
Cedric Reavley
Third Generation Pharmacist
Last family member to run the pharmacy before selling to the Tuffour family. Qualified in 1974 and operated until 2019. Preserved traditional remedies and resisted chain pharmacy competition during his tenure.
Questions
What makes Reavley Chemist historically significant?
Established in 1734 as England's oldest pharmacy, we operate from a building constructed in 1401 that has served as both coaching inn and apothecary, preserving Victorian pharmacy equipment and remedies.
Do you offer NHS services?
Yes, we dispense NHS prescriptions and provide winter flu vaccinations. Certain age groups qualify for free NHS flu jabs, with private options available for others.
Can you help with travel health requirements?
Our travel clinic offers free consultations for country-specific vaccinations and anti-malaria medication. We recommend booking consultations 6-8 weeks before departure for optimal protection.
Are traditional remedies still available?
Yes, we maintain original 1930s formulations like Zam-Buk ointment and Bengues Balsam using preserved Victorian preparation methods and equipment.
Do you provide home delivery services?
We offer free home delivery for prescription medications within Burford and surrounding villages. Please contact us to confirm delivery eligibility for your location.
What specialist clinics do you operate?
Our private clinics address weight management, acne treatment, and cardiovascular health. We also provide independent prescribing services without requiring GP referrals.
