Residents say “disrespectful” tourists eager to take the perfect photograph next to an Instagram hotspot are trashing public flowerbeds. Set alongside the River Stour, Westgate Gardens is one of the most visited parts of Canterbury - second only to the Cathedral in Tripadvisor’s list of the 10 best things to do in the city. But as the park’s summer blooms reach their zenith, local Terry Westgate says the near-constant crowds have taken a heavy toll on the grounds.
“The tourists seem to think they can get these fantastic photographs from in among the flowers, but they're showing no respect,” said Mr Westgate. “They have completely worn out the grass and it’s now got to the stage that they are standing in the flowerbeds to get the perfect pic, but in doing so, they are ruining it for everyone. “It’s an absolute tragedy for all of Canterbury.
” The Green Flag Award-winning park is visited by tens of thousands each year, but Mr Westgate - a former city councillor – believes it is particularly overseas tourists who are to blame. “I don’t want to single out any particular group, but a lot of these people who are doing it are foreign visitors,” he said. “They are spoiling this area for all of Canterbury.
I wonder - would they do it in their own country?” There are no official rules about where visitors to the garden should and should not stand and Canterbury City Council (CCC) says fines are not issued for trampling on the grass or flowers. Neverthel.