Tourists in search of the perfect selfie have been seen scaling walls and hopping over garden fences in the tranquil Cotswolds village of Bibury.
Known as one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, Bibury is now being overrun by tourists eager to capture the perfect shot, much to the annoyance of local residents.
Some visitors have even been spotted getting uncomfortably close to residents’ homes for their ideal photo.
Nestled on the River Coln in Gloucestershire, Bibury boasts a row of 14th-century cottages known as Arlington Row, which have featured on British passports and are considered one of the most photographed sights in the Cotswolds.
Locals are now complaining that the influx of tourists has led to congested roads filled with cars and coaches ferrying visitors, according to Mail Online.
Earlier this year, teacher Sarah, 27, and her sister Martha, a 25-year-old recruitment worker, were bewildered when a coachload of tourists began snapping pictures of locals’ homes and front gardens, reports The Mirror.
Sarah expressed dismay at the tourist chaos, she said: “The coach pulled up in the middle of the road because there was nowhere to park, opened the door and everybody flooded out, cameras in hand, and they were literally standing there taking photographs of each other in front of people’s houses. It was extraordinary.”
She conveyed her frustration with visitors, acknowledging their fascination with the traditional architecture but pointing out the disruption they cause: “I get that they perhaps come from places where people don’t have these lovely traditional stone cottages and front gardens, but it is causing chaos in this beautiful village.
“Surely they can find somewhere to park the coaches and cars so they don’t have to pull up in the street.”
Anthony White, an octogenarian, compared the disturbance in Bibury to living in San Francisco, remarking on the excessive noise: “It can be so noisy, not just because of the traffic, but also the people walking along in huge groups past our house making so much noise. They just don’t care.”
Despite the grievances of some locals, others see the situation differently, appreciating the financial benefits tourism brings. Bibury has long been a popular destination for travellers, enchanting individuals like William Morris who famously described it as ‘the most beautiful village in England’.
Images of the picturesque village frequently grace Pinterest feeds.
Notably, Arlington Row, a series of 14th-century structures originally established as a wool store and later transformed into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century, stands as one of the most photographed locations in Bibury.
Beyond the picturesque Arlington Row, Bibury offers a wealth of attractions including the historic Bibury Trout Farm. Tucked away in the village centre, this trout farm is among England’s oldest, having been established in 1902.
The farm remains in operation today, breeding and rearing thousands of trout.
Since 1965, it has also opened its doors to visitors, offering them the chance to observe the fish and gain insights into their lifecycle.