Home Travel Selfie-seeking tourists jump over garden fences and climb walls to get the perfect shot in Cotswold village

Selfie-seeking tourists jump over garden fences and climb walls to get the perfect shot in Cotswold village

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A man jumps a fence in the Cotswolds village of Bibury, apparently in search of a photo.

Selfie-seeking tourists have been photographed climbing walls and jumping garden fences in a bid to get the perfect shot in a Cotswolds village.

Bibury is known as one of the prettiest villages in one of England’s most stunning regions, but its fame has led to complaints among villagers about the large crowds of tourists flocking there.

And it seems the behavior of a minority of visitors leaves much to be desired, with some unsociably approaching people’s homes in an effort to snap their dream photo.

Another photograph taken on Friday shows a man jumping over a narrow stream while one of his companions captures the moment on camera.

Bibury lies on the River Coln in Gloucestershire, and is best known for a row of 14th-century cottages called Arlington Row, which appears on British passports and is said to be one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds.

A man jumps a fence in the Cotswolds village of Bibury, apparently in search of a photo.

The visitor was seen climbing up a stone wall towards his friend.

The visitor was seen climbing up a stone wall towards his friend.

Bibury is known as one of the prettiest villages in one of the most stunning regions of England, but its fame has caused complaints among villagers.

Bibury is known as one of the prettiest villages in one of the most stunning regions of England, but its fame has caused complaints among villagers.

Bibury residents have long complained that their roads have become clogged with cars and coaches delivering large crowds of tourists.

The picturesque landscape and quaint cabins attract visitors from all over, but lately the locals have been tormented and abused as a result.

Earlier this year, teacher Sarah, 27, and her sister, Martha, a 25-year-old recruitment worker, said they were shocked to see dozens of foreign tourists in Bibury getting off a bus so they could take pictures of the locals’ houses and front gardens.

Sarah said: “The bus stopped in the middle of the road because there was nowhere to park, it opened the door and everyone came out, cameras in hand, and they were literally standing there taking pictures of each other in front of people’s houses. It was extraordinary .

‘I understand that maybe they are coming from places where people don’t have these beautiful traditional stone cottages and front gardens, but it is causing chaos in this beautiful town. Surely they will find somewhere to park the buses and cars so they don’t have to park on the street.

In nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, tempers also frayed during the summer tourist season.

Another photo shows a man jumping over a narrow stream while one of his companions appears to capture the moment on camera.

Another photo shows a man jumping over a narrow stream while one of his companions appears to capture the moment on camera.

These photos show visitors in the village of Bibury in Gloucester on Friday.

These photos show visitors in the village of Bibury in Gloucester on Friday.

One local, Anthony White, 80, lived for many years in San Francisco, but said the noise and congestion caused by visitors to Bourton was worse than anything he experienced in the US west coast city. United, where he worked as a developer.

He said: ‘Since I moved here a couple of years ago, I have been shocked and increasingly concerned by the horrendous effects of overtourism here.

‘It can be very noisy, not only because of the traffic, but also because of people passing in large groups in front of our house making a lot of noise. They just don’t care.

“Streams of people pass through here in groups of up to a dozen at all hours of the day and night and I really think something needs to be done to limit the numbers.”

Bibury is located on the River Coln in Gloucestershire and is one of the most visited sites in the Cotswolds.

Bibury is located on the River Coln in Gloucestershire and is one of the most visited sites in the Cotswolds.

The village is best known for a row of 14th century cottages called Arlington Row, which appears on British passports and is said to be one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds.

The village is best known for a row of 14th century cottages called Arlington Row, which appears on British passports and is said to be one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds.

However, Sarah, 59, thought people should “stop complaining”.

He said he moved to the village last year from Brentwood, Essex, so he could be near his son, who works in Bourton.

She said: ‘Yes, there are a lot of tourists here, but I really think people should stop complaining and enjoy the economic benefits they bring.

“That said, I think we need to find a better way to address all the traffic problems we have as a result of this tourism and I think it’s time to build a bigger, better car park on the outskirts. I think that would please everyone present.’

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