Home / Lifestyle / Bibury Battles Overcrowding: Village Considers Banning Tourist Coaches
Bibury Battles Overcrowding: Village Considers Banning Tourist Coaches
12 Nov
Summary
- Bibury, a Cotswold village, faces severe traffic congestion and safety risks from tourist influx
- Up to 50 coaches and 20,000 visitors can crowd the village on a single summer weekend
- Residents report incidents of tourists trespassing and damaging private property
As of November 12th, 2025, the quaint Cotswold village of Bibury, described by William Morris as "the most beautiful village in England", is facing a growing challenge from the surge of tourist visitors. The village, home to around 600 residents, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of tourists, with up to 20,000 visitors and 50 coaches arriving on a single summer weekend.
This influx has led to severe traffic congestion and safety risks due to the village's narrow roads and lack of formal parking controls. In 2024, pictures emerged of tourists attempting to leap over fences of private homes, clambering over stone garden walls, and leaning against ancient buildings to capture photographs and selfies.
