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Chris from Nailsea
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« on: September 13, 2025, 12:17:35 » |
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From the BBC» : [Image from here is not available to guests]
The title of being the most beautiful village in the world is "completely a double-edged sword", the chair of Bibury Parish Council has said.
The small picturesque village in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, came top of the list when Forbes Magazine unveiled the 50 most beautiful villages in the world for 2025. Despite having a population of 600, 20,000 visitors can flock there over the busiest of weekends in the summer.
Craig Chapman, chair of Bibury Parish Council, said the level of tourism the village faced was "problematic" and its attraction came "at a cost for locals".
[Image from here is not available to guests]
[Image from here is not available to guests]
[Image from here is not available to guests]
[Image from here is not available to guests]
He 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."
Many of the thousands of tourists arrive on coaches but restrictions were introduced in May, including parking bays in the centre of the village being closed and new drop-off and pick-up points in their place. Last month, tourists were asked to use smaller vehicles when visiting Bibury to help ease pressure.
"It's completely a double-edged sword," Mr Chapman said. "The issue is very much about the mechanisms whereby people come to the village and when they come here, how they behave, 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."
He added there needed to be "harmony" between tourists and local visitors, and said the restrictions were helping.
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2025, 14:14:50 » |
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Bookable drop-off & pick-up slots with off-site parking
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broadgage
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« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2025, 14:43:11 » |
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Or allow a limited number of coaches into the village, in return for a substantial charge, of £100 per vehicle. Those unwilling to pay this charge will have to make other arrangements.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2025, 15:32:10 » |
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Wouldn't work at that price as most coaches carry 50 - so just £2/head if full.
Need to hit each passenger with £10 fee to discourage.
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eightonedee
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« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2025, 17:32:55 » |
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As Bibury has been long touted as England's or the Cotswold's prettiest village, I doubt that this will make much difference (who reads Forbes Magazine?).
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2025, 21:48:46 » |
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An update, from the BBC» : New traffic rules planned for 'iconic' Cotswold village[Image from here is not available to guests]A high number of visitors contribute to traffic issues and road safety concernsPermanent changes to coach bays in an "iconic" tourist destination have been proposed to improve road safety and manage high visitor numbers.Bibury, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, can sometimes see as many as 20,000 visitors in a weekend, and up to 50 coaches parking there a day. Following a trial in the summer, Gloucestershire County Council is planning to introduce permanent restrictions on coaches entering the village. Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the council, said: "Bibury is one of the Cotswolds' most iconic destinations, but its popularity has created real challenges. These proposals aim to make the village safer, reduce congestion, and protect its unique character." Additional proposals include implementing a loading bay and disabled parking spaces, along with extended yellow line restrictions to prevent parking problems elsewhere. Restrictions on coaches entering the village were introduced in May, with parking bays in the centre of the village closed and new public bus stop clearways installed. Council leaders said the clearways were introduced to create safer passenger drop-off and pick-up areas and to reduce the risk of crashes caused by "unsafe coach manoeuvres". Plans to make the changes permanent are supported by a group called Bibury One, which includes representatives from the local community, parish councillors, coach and tour operators, the county council, and Gloucestershire Constabulary. Drop-in meetings for members of the public will begin on Wednesday. If approved, the measures could be implemented by early summer 2026. A survey on the changes is running until 3 December. |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2025, 06:50:31 » |
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Is this article in the correct location?
"Across the West
General rail topics - PLEASE CHECK to see if your topic would be better on one of the other boards first!"
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2025, 11:15:20 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2025, 11:17:04 » |
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Topic now moved to where I should have put it originally. CfN▸ .  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2025, 17:59:27 » |
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From the BBC» : Villagers fear overtourism has hit 'breaking point'
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Residents of Bourton-on-the-Water say tourists are finding the village to be too busy
Overtourism in a town known as the Venice of the Cotswolds may have "reached breaking point" as residents say visitors are now "fed up" with the crammed experience.
About 100 locals aired their concerns about tourism in Bourton-on-the-Water at a meeting on Thursday with leaders from Gloucester County Council and Cotswold District Council.
Bourton Residents' Voice, a local group that organised the meeting, said it was not against tourism but wanted to achieve a level that was sustainable for the village.
One resident told the meeting at Bourton Baptist Church that visitors seem "fed up" and "massively disillusioned".
"They are not happy with the experience," he said. "It's starting to turn. Perhaps we've reached the breaking point this summer."
One woman, who has lived in Bourton-on-the-Water all her life, said the number of visitors had never been so high, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "You can't move in the village, you can't go into the village," she said. The woman said the best time for the village was during the pandemic. She added: "I don't walk in the village between March and October."
[Image from here is not available to guests]
One resident at the meeting in Bourton Baptist Church said visitors seem "massively disillusioned"
One man told the meeting he had lived in the village for 30 years. He echoed the concerns and blamed coaches for dropping people off "all over the place".
"They cause problems, they block roads, they turn around in the wrong places," he said. "They are a real menace."
Council leaders at the meeting said they would use the feedback to help them find solutions.
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2026, 16:20:41 » |
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Apparently, it's not just the number of tourists which is causing concern in the Cotswolds villages: it's the influx of celebrities moving in to the area. From the BBC» : Why celebrities keep moving to the Cotswolds - as new star buys mansion
As one of the world's most popular singers has announced he is moving to the Cotswolds, we take a look at what makes the idyllic district such a popular destination for the rich and famous.
Oasis star Liam Gallagher confirmed in one of his signature style X posts on Saturday he will "come in peace" to the Gloucestershire hills.
The Cotswolds is home to a galaxy of homegrown and Hollywood stars including the Beckhams, presenter Jeremy Clarkson, model Kate Moss and actor Hugh Grant to name but a few.
Designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said "everybody's terribly intrigued" at how the "hellraiser" singer may shake things up when he moves to the sleepy yet attractive region.
The Wonderwall star is believed to have bought former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams' £4m residence in Coates, near Cirencester.
In his post on X, Gallagher said: "To all the beautiful people from the Cotswolds, I come in peace. You won't even know I'm there, I'm not like all those divvy celebrities who like to show off I'm LO FI as you were, LG x"
Gallagher previously rented a house in Selsley near Stroud, and was seen walking his dog, Buttons, on Selsley Common.
(BBC article continues)
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Richard Fairhurst
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« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2026, 13:56:30 » |
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Coates? He could fund restoration of Sapperton Tunnel - its portal is right there. (The canal one, not the railway one!)
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johnneyw
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« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2026, 18:03:08 » |
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Coates? He could fund restoration of Sapperton Tunnel - its portal is right there. (The canal one, not the railway one!)
He might be pleased that the Tunnel House Inn, right by Coates Portal is due to reopen in spring after being closed for a few years. |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2026, 20:07:45 » |
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From the BBC» : 'Overtourism getting worse in Venice of the Cotswolds'
[Image from here is not available to guests]
Residents in Bourton-on-the-Water have spoken out as problems are "getting worse"
Issues created by overtourism in a village dubbed the "Venice of the Cotswolds" are getting worse, a new survey shows.
About 92% of residents in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, reported traffic and parking issues. The village attracts 300,000 visitors every year, while only 4,000 people live there.
A spokesperson for Bourton Residents' Voice, which conducted the survey, said: "What many residents have been experiencing for years is real, widespread, and getting worse."
Gloucestershire County Council councillor Paul Hodgkinson said the authority is leading a new initiative to get some solutions "as quickly as possible".
The survey of more than 200 villagers found that 94.6% of residents thought there were too many visitors, while 90.8% reported that tourism had a negative impact on their quality of life. Residents also reported losing access to public space, reduced safety, and a growing sense that the village is no longer designed for those who live there.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 92.6% of those who took part said traffic and parking management was not managed effectively.
(BBC article continues)
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« Last Edit: April 05, 2026, 01:38:56 by Chris from Nailsea »
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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