Everyone knows the Cotswolds is a stunning and tranquil part of the world. Victorian designer, William Morris even went so far as describing its village of Bilbury “the most beautiful in the country.”
But the once serene cobbled streets have lately become a scene of chaos as swathes of so called “TikTok tourists” cram there by the coach-load making residents’ lives a misery. The problem has now become so bad that overwhelmed locals – with their 580-strong population – are considering putting a block on the amount of people who can visit.
Plans have been mooted to cut down on coach access to the village with its narrow streets, LBC reports. Craig Chapman, the chairman of Bibury parish council, said: “Whilst the residents of Bibury acknowledge that we live in a lovely village, the pressures put on us by the sheer volume of tourists visiting and coaches bringing tourists has become intolerable and unacceptable.
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“As a consequence of the lack of infrastructure, road narrowness and the disruptive and unsafe location of the two existing coach bays, it is a fact that Bibury is not a suitable destination for larger coaches.
“We are, therefore, thankful that the issues we face have been recognised and positive actions are being taken.”
Over on Reddit, plenty of users had their say on the matter.
One wrote: “I live just down the road from Bibury. They just need to ban coaches or put in some width restrictions so it’s only cars.
(Image: Getty Images)
“My issue with tourists here, is that they just don’t give a toss. There is no respect of peoples boundaries.
“Tourists are a nightmare but it’s a beautiful place to see. Hopefully a sensible compromise is made.”
Another added: “As a UK resident, I stayed in a local b&b in this village last year and went out when the tourists had gone and used it as a base to explore the rest of the the Cotwolds.
“Yes it’s a tourist destination but wow its bedlam and crazy.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Tiny old village with small roads and limited parking/facilities and infrastructure.
“Coaches turn up throughout the day causing carnage full of tourists who just got off a plane, mostly from east Asia.
“Apparently there’s issues where tourists don’t realise or treat the houses as private redidences and they go into gardens or try doors etc so they’ve had to put signage up.
“People live there and their homes are spectated by those outside them staring and wandering all over all day.
“Once a sleepy quiet village, still beautiful just chock full of people.”
While one said: “I don’t remember the Cotswolds being a hive of international tourism. It was the sort of place you might take your wife for a weekend away or treat your parents to an anniversary dinner and a mooch round an antique shop.
“Now I constantly see reddit threads from prospective international tourists looking to spend an entire trip in the Cotswolds alone.
“I mean I do get it, I like them too and am lucky not to live too far away and in a town with similar charms – but it does seem bizarre how they seem to have come to the attention of the whole world all of a sudden.”
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