Local residents complain that they are tired of tourists climbing over fences to take selfies.
Bibury topped the list of “50 most beautiful villages in the world”, but this recognition led to an uncontrolled influx of tourists.
According to the Independent, the small village in the Cotswolds is famous for its 17th-century weaver’s houses and charming meadows. It is a popular destination for tourists who want to capture the beauty of its surroundings.
The village’s golden cottages and the tranquil River Colne helped the village to take the top spot in the ranking. However, Craig Chapman, chairman of the Bibury Parish Council, said that this achievement was a “double-edged sword” as the influx of tourists to the village was “problematic” and “caused expensive prices for locals.”
The population of Bibury is only about 600-700 people, but up to 20,000 people visit the village on weekends. The village has faced problems with bus traffic, tourist queues, and tourists climbing over fences to take selfies.
“The problem is mainly how people come to village, when they come here, how they behave and where they park. We suffer a lot from traffic jams, especially because of the big buses, ” Chapman complained.
Local residents also complained about traffic jams that hinder emergency services, as well as chaotic parking lots created by tourists.
Chapman stated that there should be a “harmonious interaction” between tourists and locals.
The publication added that the top three of the ranking included the villages of Iia on the Greek island of Santorini and Hallstatt in Austria. Both villages also suffer from an excessive influx of tourists due to their popularity.
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