The Cotswolds village of Bourton-on-the-Water, home to just 4,000 residents, is grappling with overwhelming tourist numbers, with 300,000 day-trippers arriving in a single year and 94.6% of locals believing there are too many visitors, according to multiple reports. Bourton-on-the-Water, often dubbed the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' for its picturesque low bridges over the River Windrush, is regularly crowded with international visitors taking pictures and vlogging. Visitors have been pictured standing in the river, blocking roads and causing endless queues at local pubs and bakeries, multiple reports indicate. Councillors have claimed the village is now being 'ruined' by TikTokers, according to reports.
A survey by Bourton Residents' Voice, which asked 4,000 locals and received 200 responses, reveals deep frustration among residents. The survey found that 90.8% of residents reported a negative impact on their quality of life due to tourists, and 82% say Bourton-on-the-Water has lost its sense of community. Residents have said they have had enough of tourists, according to reports.
Seasonal peaks exacerbate the issue, with July and August understood to be the busiest months, and weekends and bank holidays particularly crowded. Last year, an annual duck race on July 20 completely packed out Bourton-on-the-Water as people gathered to watch the yellow plastic animals get carried along with the current. The duck race event attracted locals and tourists and also featured a Tombola, according to multiple reports.
In response to the overcrowding, the County Council is leading a new initiative to get to some solutions as quickly as possible in place, according to reports. In April there's a workshop of all stakeholders to look at the whole village and its parking and traffic challenges, according to reports.