In a bid to reduce the overwhelming influx of tourists, a picturesque English village in the Cotswold has decided to limit coach access.
Starting this Friday, a new sign will appear in Bibury in Gloucestershire, famous for its 14th century thatched-roofed cottages and serene water meadow, baring coaches from parking in the village itself. Instead, buses will be allowed to drop off and pick up visitors in designated zones outside the centre.
Home to 700 residents, Bibury can receive up to 20,000 visitors a weekend, with as many as 50 coaches parked into the tiny village. This has sparked tensions with locals, and at times even violence. One such incident saw a man’s foot being run over in a dispute over parking.
The restrictions are part of a trial plan aimed at preserving the village once dubbed the ‘most beautiful village in England’ by artist William Morris. Gloucestershire County Council says the decision follows consultations with coach operators, local business owners and residents to find a workable solution. It comes just after plans to build a permanent coach parking facility was scrapped due to strong opposition from the community.
’We also understand that these proposals may not be popular with coach operators, however we are determined to work to find a solution for coach tourists to be able to visit Bibury but this will take time,’ said Councillor Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, in March.
Newly appointed council leader Lisa Spivey, cited public safety as the main motivation behind the trial noting, ‘an increase in unsafe coach movements, particularly reversing into bays without proper guidance, which poses a serious risk to pedestrians and other road users’.
‘This trial is a proactive step to prevent accidents and ensure Bibury remains a welcoming and safe destination for all,’ she added.
New council leader sets out immediate priorities🌟
— Gloucestershire CC (@GlosCC) May 21, 2025
Cllr Lisa Spivey's priorities: clearing signs, barriers and cones after roadworks, supporting vulnerable children, and helping to make the roads and our towns and villages safer.
Watch her speech: https://t.co/cBX8kdOoxF pic.twitter.com/Kx60jAI21n
Visitors arriving by car are now being urged to park responsibly. A council spokesperson echoed her concerns warning that ‘irresponsible parking not only endangers others but also detracts from the charm and accessibility of this historic village’. Vehicles parked in violation of restrictions will now risk being issued with a penalty charge notice.
As part of the trial, the area opposite the Bibury Trout Farm, previously used by cars, will now be designated for coach drop-offs. Visitors arriving in their own vehicles will need to use an official car park or find spots along unrestricted areas of the street.
@marygor0und This place has become too crowded, the traffic is bad, and it’s so hard to find parking! Not a good idea to visit on a bank holiday. 🫤 But indeed, a very beautiful village. #travel #UK #England #Cotswolds #Bibury ♬ What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
The tourism boom in Bibury has been fuelled in part by social media influencers promoting it as a peaceful escape from city life. Located just over two hours by car – or only 47 min by train – from London, it has become a popular day trip and weekend destination. The council is now exploring other parking areas outside the village for coaches and encouraging more sustainable transport options, such as walking, cycling, public transport, or minibuses.
Bibury is not alone in facing the pressures of overtourism. A similar coach ban was implemented in nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, nicknamed the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, which also drew controversy. While some locals feared the ban would turn the village into a ghost town, others argued it was necessary to manage the weekly influx of visitors.
