A beautiful Cotswolds village could ban tourist coaches altogether after locals complained about their home being overrun by visitors. The small village of Bibury on the River Coln in Gloucestershire attracts thousands of visitors a year. When he visited, 19th-century textile designer William Morris even called it "the most beautiful village in England.
" But despite its beauty, the number of tourists is becoming untenable for locals, who say the village is crowded and becomes like the Wild West when coach-loads of tourists arrive during the summer and on bank holidays. Tourists will block roads and pathways, walk on people's gardens and take pictures on their doorsteps. In response, residents, including councillors and police, have formed a working group calling for action.
The working group wants to encourage tourists to come in other ways, such as walking, cycling, public transport or minibuses. Gloucester County Council has since announced plans to deal with the overtourism. More minor measures will be taken first but if these don’t succeed, coaches could be banned from stopping in the village by preventing access and changing parking bay layouts.
Councillor Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Bibury residents and visitors. “The proposed measures will help manage traffic more effectively and enhance the overall experience for everyone. We appreciate the community’s support and coo.
