Bourton-on-the-Water, the picture-perfect Cotswolds village known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds", is facing growing frustration from residents who say the daily influx of tourists is putting pressure on their community. The issues, starting as early as 8am, have led to warnings that the village's infrastructure is buckling under visitor numbers.
Nurses unable to reach patients
Journalist Sophie Wilkinson spoke to residents and business owners for The i Paper, uncovering how overtourism is affecting daily life. NHS worker Jenny Coaker revealed that severe congestion caused by coaches, minibuses and tourists' vehicles is hampering healthcare professionals. She said: "Our nurses have 10 patients to visit a day, but because of the traffic, they're only doing four." She warned that delays could have serious consequences: "The carers can't get to them to dress their wounds or change their pads. People who need insulin could go into a coma, people who are incontinent are sitting in that, and people on end-of-life care are in agony waiting for painkillers."
Visitors bring picnics, not spending
Bourton Residents Voice, a campaign group set up last September, is pressing for action. Chair Charlotte Joynes said many visitors arrive early intending to stay all day while spending little. She said: "The problems that we're having are the families that are coming at 8 o'clock in the morning, bringing deck chairs, picnic tables, their own food and drink, and staying for the whole day. Apart from maybe an ice cream, they're not here to buy."
Litter and anti-social behaviour
Sue Roberts, who set up a litter-picking group three years ago, showed photographs of rubbish including beer cans, food packaging, wrappers and discarded nappies. Former resident Darryl Jenkins said she moved from the village centre due to tourist behaviour, recalling Chinese tourists being photographed in wedding dresses on the bridge, but also witnessing visitors "p*****g and s******g everywhere. I used to shout at them from my window, but it made no difference."
Rising staycation appeal
New findings from Sykes Holiday Cottages reveal Bourton-on-the-Water is among UK locations gaining traction with domestic holidaymakers. The analysis placed St Ives in Cornwall as Britain's leading staycation spot, with Bamburgh in Northumberland second. The research also found that 38% of adults intend to take their main holiday in the UK this year, up from 34%, and over half of Gen Z participants plan to holiday domestically.
