I visited a popular village in the Cotswolds and what was meant to be a relaxing getaway quickly turned into a nightmare. Bourton-on-the-Water has long been a favourite destination for tourists seeking a quintessentially English village experience.
I first visited the village five years ago and was taken by it’s quaint charm and slow pace, but a recent revisit has cemented the fact that that’ll probably be my last for a while.
As a Londoner who doesn’t drive, Bourton-on-the-Water was my top choice to set up base as I attempted to complete the Cotswold Way hike.
It is easy to get to using public transportation, and has plenty of pubs and restaurants within walking distance walking distance of one another.
However, it seemed like I was not the only one who saw an appeal in the village as it was rammed with tourists cameras, making it difficult to walk five metres without making a cameo in the background of someone’s selfie.
Often dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” due to its series of low stone bridges over the River Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The village’s popularity has surged to such an extent that it is now grappling with significant challenges due to over-tourism.
While tourism has always been the lifeblood of the village’s economy, the sheer volume of tourists in recent years has put an unprecedented strain on local infrastructure and resources.
Ironically, the very charm that draws visitors to Bourton-on-the-Water is at risk of being diminished by their numbers.
My sentiment was shared by others as one visitor took to TripAdvisor to share his disappointment: “I’ve always wanted to visit, but it was so crowded that it was hard to enjoy the beauty of the place. It felt like a theme park rather than a peaceful village.”
Residents have also reported that the influx of visitors, particularly during peak seasons, have led to overcrowded streets, packed eateries, and overwhelmed public facilities.
A local business owner told the Express: “While we welcome tourists and the business they bring, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage the crowds. Our roads are congested, and parking is a nightmare.”
On top of that, the environmental impact is also a growing worry.
The constant foot traffic has led to wear and tear on the village’s historic pathways and green spaces.
The banks of the River Windrush are particularly affected, with erosion and litter becoming more prevalent issues.
In response to the growing concerns, the local council is exploring several measures to mitigate the impact of over-tourism.
Bourton parish councillor Jon Wareing recently tabled a motion to get the council to accept that tourism is a problem for the village, but it was rejected by six votes to four
Local advocacy groups are also calling for a shift towards more responsible tourism practices. They encourage visitors to respect the village’s environment and heritage, suggesting off-peak travel and supporting local businesses that practice sustainable operations.
Bourton-on-the-Water is only one of many places across the country that is facing the brunt of over-tourism.
Residents living in Bath recently told the Express the streets have become so congested with tourists that ‘you can’t even walk down the street’.