A family visiting a pretty Cotswolds village was shocked and left abruptly after witnessing “embarrassing” behaviour from tourists who were “eating from saucepans” in public. Bourton-on-the-Water is a scenic village in the Cotswolds, often referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds due to its elegant stone bridges spanning the River Windrush.
Renowned for its honey-coloured stone cottages, stunning landscapes and a history that stretches back to 4000 BC, it remains a beloved destination. However, the family who visited this idyllic village left the area with a horrific experience. Karl Taylor, 58, from Ruislip, in Middlesex, visited Bourton-on-the-Water on May 27 with seven other family members whose ages range from six to 60 years old.
He said that “it was a truly awful experience” and “couldn’t wait to leave.” As a family member expressed feeling “embarrassed” by what they witnessed, Mr Taylor contacted the parish council, proposing solutions to address their concerns during their visit.
He told Gloucestershire Live: “I felt I should write to the parish council to express my deep disappointment following a visit to Bourton-on-the-Water with my family. We were shocked when we arrived. It was a truly awful experience after driving 90 minutes to get there and we left after 30 minutes.
“We had looked forward to enjoying the charm and beauty of one of England’s most iconic country villages. However, the reality we encountered was far from what we had expected.
“What struck us immediately was the overwhelming number of large groups occupying almost every grassed area throughout the village. Many were openly picnicking, eating food they had brought from home, with some even using saucepans as makeshift serving dishes. It was not only unsightly but deeply disheartening to see such disregard for the surroundings.
“As someone proud to promote English values and heritage, I felt embarrassed to witness this happening in a place that should represent the best of our countryside. The situation, in my view, is not only tarnishing the village’s image but is also harming local businesses.”
Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council acknowledged Mr Taylors email and said the village green ‘is legally protected for public use and must remain accessible for recreation’.
Clerk Sharon Henley said: “I confirm that the parish clerk responded directly to Mr Taylor’s email on May 27, addressing his concerns and providing context regarding the use of the village green.
“The grassed area in the centre of the village is a registered village green, owned and maintained by the parish council. It is legally protected for public use and must remain accessible for recreation, including sports and pastimes. For this reason, it would not be appropriate, or lawful, for the parish council to install signage instructing people to ‘keep off the grass’ as has been suggested.
“We do, however, fence off the village green each winter on a strictly temporary basis. This is done to allow for essential maintenance, including re-turfing and re-seeding, to ensure the area remains in good condition for the public to enjoy during the busier months.
“We appreciate that the village can become very busy at weekends and on bank holidays. For those seeking a quieter experience, we recommend visiting during weekday mornings or later in the afternoon.
“The parish council remains committed to preserving the character and accessibility of Bourton-on-the-Water for all who wish to enjoy it, but we have no powers to restrict visitors’ activities provided they are acting within the law and observing our village green bylaws.”