The picturesque Cotswolds village of Bibury, recently crowned the world's most beautiful village by Forbes magazine, is implementing permanent travel restrictions following overwhelming tourist numbers that have left residents struggling to cope with the constant influx of visitors.
From Global Acclaim to Local Strain
Bibury's undeniable charm, with its honey-coloured stone cottages, gently winding river and historic atmosphere, earned it the prestigious Forbes designation for 2025. This recognition came approximately 150 years after poet William Morris first declared it "the most beautiful village in England."
The village's iconic Arlington Row cottages, originally built in 1380 as a monastic wool store before conversion to weavers' cottages in the 17th century, are frequently described as Britain's most photographed and breathtaking properties.
With attractive accommodation options like the Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub, both adorned with climbing plants, and its convenient location just an hour and a half from West London, Bibury's popularity has soared beyond manageable levels according to local residents.
Resident Safety Concerns and Physical Attacks
The scale of tourism has created serious challenges for Bibury's 600 residents. Mark Honeyball, Chairman of the local parking action group and a ten-year village resident, revealed shocking experiences with visitors.
"I've been physically attacked four times now," Honeyball told the Express, describing one particularly violent incident. "I was kicked in the chest and stomach and kneed and punched in the face full force by a driver that I'd just asked simply to move on from double yellows at the top of the village."
The problem stems from enormous visitor numbers, with as many as 20,000 tourists descending upon Bibury over a single weekend and up to 50 coaches parking in the village daily. Coach drivers face pressure from tour companies primarily bringing visitors from China, India, and South Korea, despite finding parking extremely difficult in the small village.
Permanent Restrictions and Village Preservation
Following successful trial measures during summer months, Gloucestershire County Council now plans to make coach restrictions permanent. The proposed measures include:
- Banning coaches from driving through the village centre except at designated drop-off and pick-up points
- Extending yellow lines to prevent illegal parking and reduce congestion
- Introducing pay-and-display parking for visitors while maintaining resident exemptions
- Improving short-term parking access near the village school and church
- Adding raised kerbs and seating to pedestrianise central areas and enhance safety
Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the council, told the BBC: "Bibury is one of the Cotswolds' most iconic destinations, but its popularity has created real challenges. These proposals aim to safeguard the village, curb congestion, and preserve its unique charm."
The village's 16th-century bridge now struggles under the weight of approximately 40,000 vehicles passing through monthly during peak periods, highlighting the urgent need for traffic management solutions.
A collaborative group called Bibury One, comprising local community representatives, parish councillors, coach and tour operators, the county council, and Gloucestershire Constabulary, supports making these changes permanent. If approved, the new measures could be implemented by early summer 2026, providing much-needed relief for the overwhelmed village.
