A village in the UK, hailed as the most beautiful in the world, is contemplating strategies to deter visitors following the enforcement of stringent regulations this season.
Bibury, situated in the picturesque Cotswolds region of Gloucestershire, boasts charming honey-colored stone cottages, a meandering river, and a captivating fairytale atmosphere. Its allure led Forbes to declare it the most enchanting village globally for 2025, a title bestowed around 150 years after poet William Morris acclaimed Bibury as “the most beautiful village in England.”
Arlington Row, renowned for its stunning cottages, originally built in 1380 as a wool store, now stands as a row of weavers’ cottages from the 17th century, often described as Britain’s most photographed and breathtaking.
The Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub, adorned with climbing plants, offer inviting accommodations within Bibury, solidifying its status as a must-visit destination. Nevertheless, some residents express concerns about the escalating challenges posed by the influx of tourists.
Mark Honeyball, chairman of the local parking action group and a Bibury resident for a decade, shared distressing encounters with visitors, recounting a recent physical altercation with a coach driver. The surge in tourist numbers, reaching up to 20,000 in a weekend with around 50 coaches parking daily in a village housing only 600 inhabitants, has prompted the Gloucestershire County Council to trial permanent restrictions on coach access to Bibury.
Councillor Lisa Spivey, council leader, acknowledges the village’s iconic status but highlights the need to address congestion issues to preserve its unique charm. Proposals to manage the chaos include restrictions on coach entry, initially implemented in May, and supported by a coalition named Bibury One comprising local stakeholders, council representatives, and law enforcement.
If approved, these measures could be enforced by early summer 2026 to alleviate the strain on Bibury, epitomizing a quaint village with a 16th-century bridge enduring the weight of approximately 40,000 vehicles navigating through each month during peak periods.