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Bourton-on-the-Water Pushes Back on Overtourism With New Parking Fees

Residents describe intrusive visitors alongside a loss of everyday shops.

Overview

  • Gloucestershire County Council introduced extra charges for cars between 10am and 8pm each day this month to deter peak-hour visitors and channel more money back into the village.
  • More than 100 residents met with county and district officials in November, warning the village was at "breaking point."
  • Locals say around 300,000 annual visitors are overwhelming roughly 4,000 residents, with reports of trespass into private gardens and people being photographed inside their homes.
  • Retail change has accelerated, culminating in the closure of Hartwells Ironmongers after about 220 years, alongside the loss of multiple butchers, hairdressers and other everyday services.
  • The high street now hosts roughly 20 gift shops, 11 restaurants and 10 cafes, while the last bank shut in 2017 and only one small supermarket remains.