Tourists visiting Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds frequently ask how much they need to pay to enter the village, unaware that entry is completely free, according to a local resident who works at the car park.
Tourists Confuse Village for Paid Attraction
"A lot of people don't realise that the village itself is free, and a lot of people ask me how much it costs," the resident said. They added that visitors also ask what time the village closes, to which they reply: "Well, the village itself doesn't, but the shops do. There's no opening or closing of the village, no."
The resident acknowledged why holidaymakers might be baffled: "If you've travelled internationally and have seen Bourton-on-the-Water on social media, you wouldn't necessarily know that it is free. It does look like someone's going to shut the gates and close."
Bourton-on-the-Water: The Venice of the Cotswolds
Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', is nestled along the River Windrush. It features honey-stone cottages, pristine gardens, narrow lanes, and stone bridges that evoke comparisons to the Italian city. The village offers traditional English pubs, tearooms, and independent shops with classic facades.
The village attracts around 300,000 tourists each year from all over the world, despite having a small population of roughly 4,000 residents. Locals attribute the surge in popularity to the Covid pandemic, when Brits sought staycations and the village went viral on social media.
Impact of Tourism on the Village
Rebecca Olivia, who works at Bourton's Little Sweet Shop, noted: "During Covid, people were looking to escape, and they would drive out. This village was on social media, people were bored at home, Bourton-on-the-Water came up, and I swear that's why it's busy now."
However, the influx of visitors has created challenges. A survey by Bourton Residents' Voice earlier this year, reported by the BBC, found that 92.6% of residents reported traffic and parking issues. The same survey of over 200 residents found that 94.6% believed there were too many tourists, and 90.8% felt tourism negatively affected their quality of life.
Despite these concerns, locals acknowledge the economic benefits. Allan Hymers, a local ice cream vendor, said: "We wouldn't have all this without visitors. We have five pubs, cafes, restaurants and really nice places. There are some amazing places in the Cotswolds, but there's nothing to do, but we have this, so it's there to be had."
A punter at the Kingsbridge pub added: "There are a lot of independent shops in Bourton-on-the-Water, but without most of the tourists, would they survive? If we didn't have visitors, there might just be two pubs, one newsagent's and a chip shop, that's it."
Village's Charm Remains Free
Despite the crowds, Bourton-on-the-Water continues to enchant visitors with its fairytale scenes, which resemble a film set from Channel 5's All Creatures Great and Small. Even on weekday afternoons, tearooms and the award-winning chip shop can be busy. Yet, as one local pointed out, the village itself remains free to explore, offering a slice of the Cotswolds without an entry fee.
