Crackdown on coaches in ‘England's most beautiful village' after TikTok invasion
A Cotswold village, famed as 'England's most beautiful', will restrict coach access following an invasion of TikTok tourists.
Councillors say that an influx of sightseers to Bibury, Gloucestershire has become 'intolerable' and poses safety issues to both residents and visitors.
And longer term options for resolving the issue could include banning coaches from stopping and parking in idyllic village.
The village on the River Coln has a trout farm, a Saxon church and a row of 17th-century weavers' cottages. The aesthetic appeal of the village was remarked upon by designer William Morris, who described it as the 'most beautiful village in England'.
The recent surge in visitors to Bibury – which has a population of 581, according to the 2021 census – has been prompted by various social media accounts, promoting its picturesque appearance.
Action is now being taken against the so-called 'TikTok tourists', with the council confirming measures to restrict coach access to the village.
Plans include changing the layout of coach parking bays to stop tour buses waiting in the lay-by, on the B4425, next to the Swan Bridge in the centre of the village. This measure is set to be brought in over the next two months.
The plans have been put together by a working group, which included parish and county councillors, the police and Gloucestershire county council, which announced the measures.
The group also aims to explore whether coaches should be able to access the centre of the village at all. However, this would be dependent on the outcome of a legal consultation process that will start in early summer.
Cllr Craig Chapman, the chairman of Bibury parish council, said: 'Whilst the residents of Bibury acknowledge that we live in a lovely village the pressures put on us by the sheer volume of tourists visiting and coaches bringing tourists has become intolerable and unacceptable.
'As a consequence of the lack of infrastructure, road narrowness and the disruptive and unsafe location of the two existing coach bays, it is a fact that Bibury is not a suitable destination for larger coaches.'
Cllr Chapman added: 'We are therefore thankful that the issues we face have been recognised and positive actions are being taken.'
Meanwhile, Cllr Lisa Spivey, division member for South Cerney, said the new measures would 'help restore some calm' so that 'everyone can enjoy' the 'beautiful historic village'.
She added: 'I have been working closely with the residents of Bibury since they first highlighted it to me 18 months ago.
'Bibury welcomes tourists but the influx of large coaches really poses a danger to residents and visitors and makes the village chaotic almost all year round.'
A Gloucestershire county council spokesman confirmed that longer term recommendations include 'exploring opportunities to prohibit coach stopping and parking' and reviewing existing weight restrictions on [Swan Bridge]'.
Stephen Davies, leader of the council, said: 'We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Bibury residents and visitors. The proposed measures will help manage traffic more effectively and enhance the overall experience for everyone.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Excited' shoppers are scrambling to M&S to snap up their ‘10/10' beauty bag, which includes £210 of products for £35
SHOPPERS have been raving about M&S' summer beauty bag, where you can snap up £210 worth products for just £35. The bumper bag includes four full-size products and seven travel-sized ones, all at a fraction of the cost. 4 4 Numerous beauty lovers have taken to social media to rave about the deal. TikTok user @emanuelag posted how she had snapped up one, and wrote: 'Run don't walk to M&S for their summer beauty bags. 'So excited. Products worth £210 for £35. 'This is your sign to get one. 10/10.' Included in the bag is a mixture of cult-favourite buys like Color Wow's dreamcoat spray and the Dr Paw Paw skin & lip balm. There's also new launches inside like REN's SPF 50 lotion, that's the perfect size for hand luggage. Fellow beauty lovers have been gushing about the bag, with one saying: "The perfumes smell SO good." Also in Marks and Spencer's bag is the Arkive's good habit hair oil and a compact Tangle Teezer brush for brushing your hair on the go. Offering a two-step bodycare routine, there's Bloom & Blossom's ultra-nourishing moisture body cream, as well as This Works' body smoothing wash. The £4.52 beauty buy Maya Jama swears by for a fresh-faced summer look, and you can nab it on TikTok Shop You'll also find two Estée Lauder products in the beauty goody bag. The double-wear mascara is full size and claims up to 15 hours of lash definition, while the brand's revitalising supreme moisturiser is packed with peptides for reducing fine lines. To finish the bag, there are two travel-sized perfumes that are perfect to take on holiday. Discover's M&S' sweet frangipani and Floral Street's electric rhubarb. 4 4 The bag's content is worth £210 but it is currently on sale for just £35. While the bag has previously been sold online, this year it is only available to buy in store because of the ongoing cyber attack. Since the incident, the company has reportedly lost around £300 million, having paused online orders and purchases on apps until at least mid-July. What is the 2025 M&S summer beauty bag? YOU can snap up £210 worth of products for just £35 with this year's offering... This Works Perfect Body Smoothing Wash (200ml) – Luxury shower gel with PHA and fruit acids for gentle exfoliation. Scented with geranium and sweet orange. Discover's Sweet Frangipani Eau de Toilette (30ml) – Fragrance with frangipani blossom, rose, and a vanilla base. Handbag-sized. Bloom & Blossom Mission Moisture Nourishing Body Cream – Full-size body cream with mandarin, ylang ylang, and amber. Non-greasy and suitable for sensitive skin. ARKIVE The Good Habit Hybrid Oil (50ml) – Hair oil with baobab and jojoba oils. Adds shine without weight. Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara – Full-size mascara with 15-hour wear, smudge-proof and resistant to humidity. REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Sensitive Support Sunscreen SPF50+ (50ml) – Broad-spectrum sunscreen with blue-light and pollution protection. Suitable for all skin types. ColorWow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (50ml) – Anti-frizz, humidity-blocking hair spray with heat protection. Lasts up to four washes. Floral Street Electric Rhubarb Eau de Parfum (10ml) – Perfume with white florals, sandalwood, and English rhubarb. Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Moisturizer – Anti-aging cream with peptides, hibiscus, moringa, and cactus stem cells. Tangle Teezer Hairbrush – Compact hairbrush for wet or dry use. Reduces breakage and works on various hair types. Dr. Paw Paw Original Balm (10ml) – Multipurpose balm for lips, skin, hair, cuticles, and more. Contains pawpaw, aloe vera, and olive oil.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Australian astounded after visiting UK as he says Brits are 'built differently'
An Australian who visited the UK said Brits are "built differently", and there's a key reason why. He was left astounded after stopping by as he ventured on a trip to Venice An Australian who visited the UK was left astounded when he touched down in the airport. Liam Dowling was left totally floored by one thing when he landed on British soil, and claimed there's a specific reason why Brits are "built differently" to other people around the world. Liam's video has gone viral after he shared it on TikTok and his explanation left people in total hysterics. In the clip, he admitted he was travelling to Venice, but stopped at an airport in the UK on his travels and, when he called by the Wetherspoons, he couldn't get over one thing. In the video, he said: "I'm here at the Spoons airport, on my way to Venice. It's 5am - there's not a single person in here not drinking. It's 5am. "I feel like in Aus, we kind of wait until like 7am/8am - you get some looks if you're drinking in the airport at 5am. No one here gives a f***. "I reckon you could come here at 4am, and it would not matter. Like, Britian just - they don't care. Maybe it's the Europe/Aus thing, but everyone here is boozing and I love it. Bit too early for me though, so, I'm just going to stick to my coffee." The video has been viewed over 100,000 times since it's been shared, and people have been left gobsmacked by it. Natually, some Brits just couldn't stop laughing. One said: "God forbid a nation has hobbies." Another wrote: "Time doesn't exist in the airport or on Christmas Day." A third replied: "I'm Polish (we're infamous for drinking a lot) and I have been living in the UK for 10 years, but even I can't hack how they do it. Brunch time, 11ish, I can get, but 5am is crazy business." Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: "Got to a NY airport at 6am. Asked for a Bacardi and they said no alcohol til midday. I was gobsmacked." One more also quipped: "Spoons in Birmingham airport was absolutely rammed at 2am when I last went." People had all sorts of stories about drinking at airports, but many seemed to agree on one idea - time doesn't exist when you're about to hop on a plane. Many Brits couldn't help but laugh in the comments, with a cheeky pre-flight tipple appearing to be the norm for many - no matter what time it may be. Thoughts and theories were super varied, but many Brits couldn't help but make jokes about it. The video really did make many people chuckle. Another wrote: "If you think about it, 5am is just really late at night. 7am would be more unacceptable, as I consider that morning. Regardless of time though, if I'm at an airport, then I'm at Spoons drinking." One more added: "Every time I fly from Manchester Airport, I choose as early as I can 4am/5am, grab a burger and sit in the bar with a few pints and watch the planes until my gate opens. Like my father, and my father's father." Meanwhile, someone else chimed in with: "Time does not exist in airports. Except the time you've got to catch your flight - that one's important."
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
We ditched the UK to buy a huge three-bed house in Bulgaria for £25,000 without even viewing it - now we're adding a swimming pool and bills are unbelievably cheap
A British family have revealed how they ditched the UK to buy a huge home in Bulgaria without even viewing it first. TikTok users @RenovateBulgariaWithUs purchased their pad near Svilengrad, half an hour from the Turkish border, last year and have been updating viewers on the renovation progress. They purchased the spacious three-bedroom property for just £25,000 last year on a 'spontaneous Wednesday afternoon'. Their new home came with outbuildings and half an acre of land, which they're now making their own, adding astro turf for the kids to play football, and even digging a pool. The DIY-ers - and their six children - are also renovating a stylish bar area with seating, firepit, worktop and sink, and adding a BBQ. 'We brought a house in Bulgaria from UK, on a spontaneous Wednesday afternoon,' they announced in a TikTok video. As for bills, the family pay a yearly tax 'like council tax' which is around £45, while water and electric costs are 'very low compared to the UK'. One of their first jobs was to add a working toilet to the bathroom, and they've since been renovating the other rooms, recently adding beds and other furniture. In a recent video, they said the living room is 'almost done', having added a bright blue sofa, leaf-print curtains and a canvas they brought over from Asda in the UK. They've also replaced windows, and added new flooring, fittings and fireplace - doing much of the work themselves. Outside of the busy renovation programme, the family have been soaking up the 30 degree heat at a nearby pool while they wait for their own, which should 'be ready within a few weeks'. On a recent trip there, they spent 60 Bulgarian levs on eight kebabs and eight drinks - the equivalent of £25. The new home has attracted the envy of many others, who have heaped praise on them on TikTok. People said: 'Gorgeous house'; 'Loving watching the progress videos. Your outside space looks amazing and really taking shape'; 'It's going to be lovely when it's done'; The family are currently renovating the spacious property. Pictured left is the finished living room, right is another room still in progress UK vs Bulgaria: How do costs compare? UK expats Maxwell and Leah Jones are leaving life in Prestatyn, Wales behind to relocate to Bulgaria. Here, they detail their approximate costs now, and after they move: UK Rent: £680 a month Electric and gas bill: £250 a month Food shop: £130 to £200 a week Council tax: £140 a month WiFi: £45 Water: £40 to £50 a month Bulgaria (estimated) Electric bill: £15 to £20 a month Food shop: £40 to £80 a week Council tax: £25 a year WiFi: £60 to £100 a year Water: £5 a month 'Everything you've done so far looks incredible! Life is different in Bulgaria and children play at zero'; 'I only came across your TikTok yesterday and I've watched from the beginning and WOW! What an amazing transformation already, looks phenomenal'; 'If I ever win the lottery this is what I'm gonna do!' Although Bulgaria may seem like an unlikely choice, many are ditching sky-rocketing mortgages in the UK for the much cheaper alternative. Results from the 2021 Bulgarian census show there were 4,484 British citizens living in the country, up from 2,605 in 2011. As of January 2024, the average house price in the UK was £282,200, rising to £518,000 in London. Comparatively, the central north of Bulgaria has an average asking price of €26,574, according to Move 2 Bulgaria, making it one of the cheapest areas to live in Europe. So enthusiastic are some buyers that they're buying plots and homes on eBay, often unseen, and knuckling down to restore them for far less than it would cost to renovate a similar property in Britain. And they're moving out there despite it being the European Union 's poorest state - with the lowest GDP per head of around £11,857, less than a third of the UK's - which is also in the throes of political turmoil. But despite being known as a 'mafia state' by many due to claims of political corruption, the allure of cheap homes, a low cost of living and sun by the Black Sea has been too much for expats to resist. Gemma Stevenson moved to the country in 2007 and set up Bulgarian Property Experts to help other Britons find their perfect home. Corresponding with MailOnline by email, she said people were drawn to the country by its low cost of living across property, food, bills and transport - as well as its breathtaking landscapes and enviable weather. 'Whether you're renting or buying, the prices are significantly lower than in most Western European countries,' she said. There are other draws: a low crime rate in rural communities outside of major cities - where the Foreign Office warns that pickpockets can run rife - and, inevitably, some things that Britons can only dream of. 'It has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, particularly in the south,' she noted - far more than back home. And there's also its position on the continent, at the furthest reaches of the European Union, bordering on Greece and Turkey, which are both accessible by road or dirt-cheap trains. An overnight couchette on the Sofia-Istanbul Express can run to as little as 30 Euros. Bulgarian Property Experts' listings serve as a microcosm of why Britons move: a three-bed home in Popovo, a village in the north-east of Bulgaria, costs as little as 15,000 Euros (£12,000) and is primed for renovation. A fully renovated three-bed, three-bath house, which also boasts two kitchens and a 32 square metre swimming pool is just 143,000 Euros (£120,000) - barely enough for a suburban terraced house in the average British town. Among them are Maxwell and Leah Jones, aged 38 and 29, who bought a house outright for £8,000 without even viewing it after growing tired of trying to get a foot on the property ladder in Britain. The couple bought their three-bed home in Popovo, in the north-east, for less than 3 per cent of the £300,000 cost of a similar sized home in their home town of Prestatyn, Wales. They flew out in May to see it and plan to move there full time by the end of the year after investing an estimated £15-20,000 in bringing it up to scratch. With monthly living costs thought to be around £300, or £680 for a 'comfortable' living standard, they plan to raise and homeschool children Lorenzo and Indy there as they integrate themselves fully into Bulgarian life. Handily, Maxwell is a joiner. 'It was exactly like it looked online,' he said earlier this month. 'We were due to buy a house in the UK but it became hard to put all this money out and still be paying it off for 25 years. 'We looked at the price in Bulgaria and it became a no brainer.' 'Now we're mortgage-free. There is a lot to do - it's a shell but we are up for a challenge.' He will fly out in two months to re-wire the house before the rest of the family joins him before the year is out. They will then live off the land, keeping animals and growing fruit and vegetables. Last year, Scunthorpe native Donna Hardy moved out to Veliko Tarnovo - the university city where estate agent Gemma's daughter is studying - and bought a huge house for some 26,000 Euros (£21,900). The estate included a barn, several outbuildings and an acre of land - all for less than it would cost to buy a family hatchback in Britain.
