When William Morris, the renowned 19th-century artist and founder of Britain’s Arts and Crafts movement, called Bibury “the most beautiful village in England,” he surely wasn’t exaggerating. Nestled in the Cotswolds, northeast of Cirencester, Bibury is the embodiment of an idyllic English village—so picturesque it almost seems fictional.
Having seen countless photos before visiting, I half expected the images to be digitally enhanced. Yet the village’s charm exceeded every expectation. Picture a quintessential British village, straight from the pages of a fairy tale or a scene from Harry Potter, and you’ll come close—but still might not fully capture Bibury’s magic.
Bibury’s centerpiece is Arlington Row, a row of limestone cottages dating back to 1380. Originally a monastic wool store, these buildings were converted into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century and have since become perhaps the most photographed street in the Cotswolds, if not all of England. The soothing River Coln winds through the village, crossed by quaint stone bridges, while cattle graze lazily near the iconic Swan Hotel, famous for its gorgeous beer garden beside the water.
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Nearby, Bibury Trout Farm operates as one of Britain’s oldest trout farms, supplying fish to many local restaurants. Visitors can tour the farm, shop for fresh trout, or enjoy the on-site smokery.
Despite this serene beauty, Bibury has a significant downside: the sheer volume of tourists. With a population of just around 600, the village struggles to accommodate the flood of coaches, tour groups, and day-trippers who come to snap photos and move on. Lynn Edward, a resident for six years, told The Guardian: “The level of tourism and the hordes of people has made it entirely unpleasant. Most visitors don’t stay, don’t absorb the history or beauty—they’re just here to take a selfie.”
I arrived fully aware Bibury was a popular destination, but even on a quiet weekday afternoon, the crowds were overwhelming. Visitors spilled onto narrow roads, clustering on bridges and congesting the village’s tight lanes. Multiple languages filled the air as tourists jostled for the perfect photo op, often oblivious to the residents’ daily lives.
To manage parking, a large lot outside the village charges £5, yet even its 300 spaces cannot always meet demand on busy days. The narrow lane linking it to the village becomes a tricky bottleneck for vehicle and pedestrian traffic alike.
Surprisingly, the village’s benefit from tourism is not as clear-cut as many might assume. Victoria Summerley, a local journalist, notes that few tourists actually spend money locally, soaking up the scenery without further investment. It’s a complicated situation: while residents want to share Bibury’s beauty, the scale of visitors can strain infrastructure and diminish quality of life.
Despite the challenges, there’s no denying Bibury’s timeless allure. To truly appreciate it, visitors should tread lightly—with respect for the residents who live amidst this stunning postcard scene.