Selfie hunting tourists climb and jump onto properties in picturesque UK village (original) (raw)

A historic and picturesque village in the heart of the Cotswolds is the next destination to have fallen victim to overtourism as crowds have been pictured getting extremely close to private property

Some tourists have been seen jumping over walls

Selfie-hunting tourists have been pictured climbing over walls and jumping over garden fences to try and get the perfect picture in a serene Cotswolds village.

Bibury is known as one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds region. However, it is now become inundated with tourists flocking to the area, enthusiastically attempting to get the perfect shot in a way which has left residents infuriated. Some tourists have even been spotted get up close to residents' houses in order to snap their ideal shot.

Located on the River Coln in Gloucestershire, Bibury is littered with a row of 14th century cottages called Arlington Row. The cottages have even been featured on British passports and are thought to be one of the most photographed sights in the Cotswolds.

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Tourists have been seen getting very close to people's houses to get the perfect picture (

Image:

In Pictures via Getty Images)

Now, villagers are complaining that the rise in crowds has caused the roads to become crammed with cars and coaches bringing tourists to the area, reports Mail Online. Earlier this year teacher Sarah, 27, and her sister, 25-year-old recruitment worker Martha, were left shocked and confused as crowds of tourists off a coach were taking photos of locals' homes and front gardens.

Sarah said: "The coach pulled up in the middle of the road because there was nowhere to park, opened the door and everybody flooded out, cameras in hand, and they were literally standing there taking photographs of each other in front of people's houses. It was extraordinary.

"I get that they perhaps come from places where people don't have these lovely traditional stone cottages and front gardens, but it is causing chaos in this beautiful village. Surely they can find somewhere to park the coaches and cars so they don't have to pull up in the street."

Another local, 80-year-old Anthony White, said that the noise of visitors was worse than when he lived in San Francisco, USA. He shared: "It can be so noisy, not just because of the traffic, but also the people walking along in huge groups past our house making so much noise. They just don't care."

Other residents have noted how it doesn't bother them as much and that the area should be grateful for the economic benefit it is bringing into the area. Bibury has historically always attracted visitors. William Morris described Bibury as 'the most beautiful village in England' and pictures of the quaint village appear on many Pinterest feeds.

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One of the most photographed spots in the village is the cottages of Arlington Row. They were originally built in 1380 as a monastic wool store, before being converted into a row of weavers' cottages in the 17th century.

Away from Arlington Row, there is actually a lot to explore in the village including Bibury Trout Farm. Nestled in the heart of the village, this trout farm is one of the oldest in England, originally founded in 1902. The farm is still operational and thousands of trout are bred and reared at the farm. Since 1965, the farm has also welcomed visitors who can see the fish and learn about their lives.