A couple has been forced to leave their home on one of England’s most iconic streets due to overwhelming tourist intrusion.
Brian and Jill Skarda lived for more than 14 years on Arlington Row in Bibury, Gloucestershire, a 17th-century terrace of weavers’ cottages that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year and appears on the inside cover of UK passports.
The cottages, owned by the National Trust, have featured in films including Bridget Jones’s Diary and Stardust.
Writing in the local magazine Mr Skarda said: “We have decided that we have had enough of invasive tourism in Arlington Row, with door banging, window peeping and general interference in our private lives.
“We have been here for over 14 years and noticed that since Covid, visitor behaviours have changed.
“They have become more inconsiderate and the sheer numbers of tourists this year have meant that, on occasions, we have virtually been unable to get out of our front door or move our car along the row.”
The Skardas, originally from Barnsley, became active members of the Bibury community, with Mr Skarda serving on the parish council and contributing to traffic management schemes.
He said many tourists expressed conflicting views about life on Arlington Row.
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Bibury in the Cotswolds. (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Mr Skarda said: “During the time we have been here, I have spoken to thousands of tourists, most of whom comment anything from ‘it must be awful living here’ to ‘you are so lucky to live in this beautiful place.’
“And they are both right.
“This is a beautiful village and, sadly, it is being ruined by the very people who come to see it.”
He recalled one of his final encounters with visitors.
Mr Skarda said his last memories from the tourists included lowering his head to exit his front door before being faced by a line of 10 Japanese men, who all bowed back in return.
He ended his farewell column with hope for the future.
Mr Skarda said: “We hope that Bibury may resolve its tourism issues in due course, so that all residents can enjoy this lovely place and preserve it for the future enjoyment of all.”
Parish leaders are exploring new measures to address over-tourism, including fencing off parts of the River Coln to prevent visitors from entering the water.
Coach drop-off zones and extended double yellow lines have also been introduced to ease traffic congestion.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain about large tour buses, drone use, and visitors trespassing on private property.
Bibury’s popularity soared after being described by William Morris in the 19th century as the “most beautiful village in England.”
Since the pandemic, visitor numbers have surged, with up to 20,000 tourists arriving in a single weekend.
The National Trust has been approached for comment.
