Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” is becoming known as a village that has “learned to live without its villagers,” according to Councillor Jon Wareing (LD), who represents the village at Cotswold District Council. He has raised alarm about the impact of overtourism on the community and called for a “coalition of the willing” to address the growing challenges.
A recent polite protest drew residents to Bourton’s Village Green to highlight concerns over the overwhelming number of visitors and the resulting effects on daily life. Councillor Wareing explained that many locals now avoid the village centre during busy periods, reporting a decline in quality of life and a loss of community spirit.
While Bourton’s economy thrives on tourism, much of its commercial success depends on visitors rather than permanent residents. Councillor Wareing believes this economic model encourages more intense use of the village by tourists, even as its actual residents use it less. He described this trend as “the village learning to live without its villagers.”
READ MORE: New Independent Brewery Set to Open in Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter This September
The issue is particularly significant for the wider Cotswold district, home to around 90,000 people. Tourism increasingly influences employment, property availability, and the types of businesses that survive. As visitor accommodation becomes more lucrative, affordable housing for workers and young people who wish to stay in the area becomes scarce.
Councillor Wareing emphasises the need to shift the conversation beyond simply regulating tourism. He stated, “It’s about considering how local and national government think about what sustainable communities mean in practice. Currently, there are no mechanisms to determine if a settlement can continue to function as a place for people to live, work and build a community when exposed to an economic model valuing high visitor presence.” He is pursuing collaboration among local authorities to confront these issues and ensure broader understanding of the underlying challenges.
Bourton’s county councillor, Paul Hodgkinson (LD), supports this view, acknowledging tourism’s economic benefits but stressing the importance of balancing these with residents’ needs. He welcomed the County Council’s current consultation on traffic and parking management as a positive step but pointed out the necessity of a comprehensive plan to manage the increasing number of visitors and new residents. Hodgkinson also noted how the area’s profile has been raised further by high-profile visitors, which, while flattering, drives up housing prices, making it harder for young locals to afford homes.
Meanwhile, Lynda Hicks, chair of Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council, highlighted the parish council’s commitment to supporting a sustainable community. She looks forward to the outcomes of Gloucestershire County Council’s Transport and Parking Review and Rural Mobility Pilot, expecting these to provide valuable information for future decision-making.
Both district and county councils have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond.
The situation in Bourton-on-the-Water serves as a critical example of the complexities facing popular rural destinations, where the benefits of tourism must be carefully balanced with preserving community life and ensuring housing and infrastructure meet the needs of all residents.