Bourton-on-the-Water, a picturesque village often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” is renowned for its charming scenery and draws thousands of visitors annually. However, behind its idyllic appearance, locals report that daily life has become increasingly difficult, with problems starting as early as 8am.
Tourism in the Cotswolds has surged in recent years, and residents warn that the village’s infrastructure is struggling to cope with the influx of visitors. Journalist Sophie Wilkinson visited Bourton-on-the-Water on assignment for The i Paper, speaking to both residents and business owners about the effects of overtourism.
One of those she met, NHS worker Jenny Coaker, described how heavy traffic-from coaches, minibuses, and visitors' cars-is impeding healthcare workers' ability to reach vulnerable patients. She explained: “Our nurses have 10 patients to visit a day, but because of the traffic, they’re only doing four.”
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Jenny highlighted the serious consequences delays can cause, saying: “The carers can’t get to them to dress their wounds or change their pads. People who need insulin could go into a coma, people who are incontinent are sitting in that, and people on end-of-life care are in agony waiting for painkillers.”
These concerns are echoed by the campaign group Bourton Residents Voice, formed last September to address the effects of overtourism. Chair Charlotte Joynes told Sophie that many visitors arrive early in the morning, intending to spend the entire day in the village but often spending little in local shops or eateries.
Joynes explained: “The problems that we’re having are the families that are coming at 8 o’clock in the morning, bringing deck chairs, picnic tables, their own food and drink, and staying for the whole day. Apart from maybe an ice cream, they’re not here to buy.”
Other residents shared the less picturesque aspects of living in such a popular spot. Sue Roberts, who started a litter-picking group three years ago, showed photographs of rubbish collected around the village, including beer cans, food packaging, wrappers, and even discarded nappies.
Additionally, former resident Darryl Jenkins described how she eventually moved away from the village centre due to frustration with some visitors' behaviour. She recalled, “Chinese tourists being photographed on the bridge in their wedding dresses,” but said the situation deteriorated as some visitors began “pg and s*g everywhere. I used to shout at them from my window, but it made no difference.”
Attention on Bourton-on-the-Water’s challenges comes alongside new research published by Sykes Holiday Cottages, which identified the village as one of several UK destinations growing in popularity with staycationers. The study ranked St Ives in Cornwall as the top staycation destination in Britain, with Bamburgh in Northumberland second, and noted increasing interest in Bourton-on-the-Water.
The research also found that 38% of adults plan to take their main holiday within the UK this year, up from 34% previously. Furthermore, over half of Gen Z respondents said they intend to holiday at home, reflecting a broader trend towards domestic travel.