Bibury, a picturesque Cotswolds village once described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”, is grappling with overtourism as thousands of visitors pour into its narrow lanes daily. Residents of the village, which has a population of around 600, say the influx of coaches, international walking tours, and day-trippers has made life unpleasant and overwhelmed local infrastructure.
Lynn Edward, a six-year resident and volunteer at St Mary's Church, said: “We have such a beautiful place that we want to share, but the level of tourism and the hordes of people that come has just made it entirely unpleasant. All they want to do is come and take a photograph. They don't stay in the village. They don't linger enough to really ingest the beauty and historic value of the place.”
The number of visitors has surged in recent years, driven by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok. Councillors are now planning to change the layout of coach-parking bays to prevent tour buses from waiting in a layby on the B4425, next to the Swan Bridge in the village centre. On a midweek afternoon in March, the small car park was full, with a 15-metre coach, two minibuses, and half a dozen cars squeezed in. Tourists disembarked, took selfies, and were gone within 20 minutes.
However, some businesses welcome the tourists. Angus Hay, director of Bibury Trout Farm, which operates a cafe and gift shop, said: “We would agree that something needs to be done. It needs to be managed. The last few summers have definitely been getting busier and busier.” Hay noted that the farm has applied for planning permission to develop a fee-paying coach park on the edge of the village, with shuttle minibuses to reduce congestion.
But residents remain sceptical. Victoria Summerley, a journalist and former parish councillor, said: “The idea that it's sustainable is almost laughable.” Edward added that tourists do not support local pubs or restaurants because they stay only briefly. A tour guide from a London-based operator confirmed their group spends just 30 minutes in Bibury, claiming this is “more sustainable”, a statement that drew criticism from locals.
