Bibury's parking fines raise £45,000 annually as overtourism strains village

Forbes named the Cotswold village of Bibury the "world’s most beautiful village" in 2025, prompting a sharp rise in visitor numbers. Residents complained that tourists parked illegally on pavements, double‑yellow lines and in front of homes, blocking emergency vehicles and creating safety hazards.

Gloucestershire County Council responded by issuing 651 penalty charge notices in 2025 – up from just 28 in 2019 – with fines of £70 (£35 if paid within two weeks). The fines generated up to £45,570 in 2025, roughly £876 per week. Community representative Craig Chapman said visitors showed “very little regard for the villagers” and described the situation as a “nightmare”.

To curb the problem, the council plans a pay‑and‑display scheme for 24 on‑street spaces on The Street, charging £6‑7 for two hours from March to October, projected to bring in £218,880 a year and a surplus of up to £360,680 over four years after enforcement costs. A pedestrian‑only zone previously used for coach parking will become permanent, and a focus group is studying out‑of‑village parking options.