This village in the Cotswolds was named the most beautiful village in the world, but locals are growing tired of the thousands of tourists who flock to the area
Tucked away in the heart of the Cotswolds, this charming village secured the top spot on Forbes’ ranking of the 50 most stunning villages globally – yet residents there are absolutely fed up with it.
Taking first place was Bibury, a postcard-perfect settlement nestled in the countryside boasting its snug cottages and climbing blooms. Located beside the gentle babbling of the River Coln, this 14th-century village appears lifted from a storybook, complete with golden wildflowers, chattering ducks and pastoral farms.
Whilst it might appear idyllic from afar, since receiving such prestigious recognition, residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the attention their community is attracting. What previously was a peaceful rural hamlet has transformed into a magnet for tourists from across the UK and beyond, all eager to witness its enchantment.
Going head-to-head with the breathtaking Oia in Santorini and the splendour of Shirakawa-go in Japan, Bibury faced some formidable competition. Nevertheless, it’s the tranquil existence in the Cotswolds that secured its victory as overall winner. With just 600 inhabitants, the village has now attracted considerably more tourists.
It was estimated that as many as 20,000 visitors descended upon Bibury during a single weekend this summer alone. Craig Chapman, chair of Bibury Parish Council, has subsequently described the tourism levels as “problematic”, which has arrived “at a cost for locals”.
The chairman told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “I’m fairly flabbergasted, having travelled the world, to believe we’re the most attractive village in the world. It’s a great honour, but it’s a little bit of a surprise; there’s a lot of competition out there.”
Following the chaos that witnessed thousands of holidaymakers descending on the location via coaches, limitations have now been implemented. This encompasses parking spaces located in the heart of the village being shut down, alongside establishing fresh drop-off and collection zones alternatively.
To reduce strain even more, visitors have been urged to turn up in more compact vehicles when exploring the village. What previously represented a stunning location could rapidly become overwhelmed with massive coaches and minibuses otherwise.
Mr Chapman added: “It’s completely a double-edged sword. The issue is very much about the mechanisms whereby people come to the village and, when they come here, how they behave and where they park.
“The reality is we sit on a B-road. The road is narrow; there’s one bridge across the River Coln, which is only wide enough for one vehicle. We’ve suffered greatly from congestion, particularly from the larger coaches,” the BBC reports.
For there to be what he termed “harmony” between the residents and the tourists, these limitations seemed essential for numerous locals and have proved beneficial. It’s no wonder that Bibury, with its stunning landscapes and quintessentially British architecture, is a must-visit spot in the Cotswolds.