Cotswolds village dubbed 'Venice of the Cotswolds' plans residents' parking permits amid tourist backlash

A Cotswolds village dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” is set to introduce residents’ parking permits in a bid to tackle overcrowding and mounting tensions over tourism.

Bourton-on-the-Water, home to around 4,000 people, attracts an estimated 300,000 holidaymakers and day-trippers every year, with locals increasingly complaining about traffic, parking problems and visitors taking over residential areas.

The picturesque Gloucestershire village has become a popular destination for tourists from across the world, with coaches regularly bringing large groups of sightseers to its streets.

But the influx has prompted concerns about the impact on residents’ everyday lives, with some blaming social media trends for attracting visitors more interested in taking photographs than exploring the village’s heritage.

Gloucestershire County Council has now committed funding to move forward with a residents’ parking permit scheme, following a major consultation that attracted more than 950 responses – representing around half of the village’s households.

The findings showed strong support for introducing permits and other measures to manage parking in the village centre.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, county councillor for Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach, said the plans were about finding a balance between welcoming visitors and protecting the quality of life of people who live and work there.

“Bourton is a much-loved and iconic part of the Cotswolds,” he said.

“It attracts many visitors, but people who live and work here must be properly supported.”

He added: “The commitment to move forward with a residents’ parking permit scheme, with the aim of making changes on the ground next spring, is a significant step forward.”

The county council will begin the formal process for introducing the scheme and changing parking restrictions in the village centre, including a 21-day public consultation.

Subject to sufficient support, the first changes are targeted for spring 2027.

The proposals form part of wider work involving Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council and Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council to address the pressures caused by visitor traffic.

Temporary arrangements for coach drop-offs and pick-ups are also being trialled, while officials continue to explore ways to move coaches away from residential streets and develop longer-term parking solutions.

Cllr Roger Whyborn, Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport and road safety, said the village’s popularity brought economic benefits but also created challenges for residents and the road network.

He said there was “no single or simple solution”, adding that the councils were working together to turn residents’ feedback into practical improvements.

Cllr Lynda Hicks, chair of Bourton Parish Council, said the authority had spent months seeking solutions after listening to residents and businesses.

The latest plans follow previous concerns that more than 90% of residents felt tourism was negatively affecting their lives.

District councillor Jon Wareing has also warned about so-called “TikTok tourists”, accusing some visitors of exploiting the village’s heritage for online clicks.

He previously claimed residents were being harassed when asking visitors to leave their gardens, while some had reported feeling threatened and unable to enjoy their own community.

Cllr Wareing said the problems had been accelerating for decades and warned that the village was increasingly experiencing pressures similar to Venice, Italy.

While tourism remains important to the local economy, the councils now face the challenge of ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy Bourton-on-the-Water without making life increasingly difficult for the people who call it home.