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Tourism Divides Picture-Postcard UK Villages: Residents Clash Over Tourist Influx
The charm of Britain’s picturesque villages, renowned tourist destinations and beauty spots, is increasingly being tested as residents express divided opinions on the year-round arrival of coachloads of tourists. Overcrowding and traffic congestion are compounded by social media trends, as influencers seeking the perfect selfie exacerbate tensions between local communities and visitors in the UK’s most sought-after locations.
Conflicting Perspectives on Visitor Numbers
While some residents voice frustration over the disruptions caused by tourism, others, particularly those reliant on the visitor economy, welcome tourists as a vital lifeline for their communities.
Across the nation’s most idyllic locales, simmering resentment has escalated as residents grapple with an annual surge of tourists, disrupting the tranquility of their daily lives. This friction is often intensified by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where influencers promote ‘hidden gems’ and ‘ideal day trips,’ inadvertently contributing to the perceived ‘spoiling’ of these quintessential hometowns.
Bibury Grapples with Over-Tourism
Coach Bans Considered in Popular Cotswolds Village
A key point of contention for locals is the sheer volume of coaches transporting tourists to already strained beauty spots. Villages such as Bibury in Gloucestershire, famously lauded by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England,” are contemplating coach bans to manage the pressures of excessive tourism.
Bibury, alongside numerous other charming British villages, endures a constant influx of tourists throughout the year, peaking during Bank Holidays and summer vacations. This article explores the perspectives of residents near popular destinations in the Yorkshire Dales and East Sussex, examining whether the influx of tourists has reached a critical point, or if these visitors are essential for local survival.
Birling Gap: Sussex Coast Under Pressure
Impact of Mass Tourism on Coastal Communities
Birling Gap, situated near Beachy Head and the Cuckmere Haven coastguard cottages, attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually. This influx of coach-borne tourists to the Sussex coastline is generating considerable consequences.
Locals report that beyond road and pathway congestion, the continuous stream of day-trippers is causing deterioration to the scenic landscapes themselves. Birling Gap and Cuckmere experience heightened coach traffic during Bank Holidays, weekends, and summer months.
The narrow B-roads become bottlenecks due to coaches, minibuses, and large SUVs navigating towards the cliffs. Although car parks are available, they are frequently overwhelmed, leading visitors to park on roadside verges and grasslands, resulting in environmental damage.
‘It’s definitely having an impact,’ states Dot Skeaping, 80. ‘The coaches bring thousands daily when the weather is favorable, and the sheer number of people on the cliffs is causing damage.’
Mrs. Skeaping, former creative director of the Young National Trust Theatre and resident in one of the cliff-edge cottages dating back to 1877, notes the escalating chaos during summer months. ‘There are cars and coaches and minibuses absolutely everywhere.’
She acknowledges the National Trust’s dual mandate: ‘One of the aims of the National Trust is to preserve the true character of the place, but they also have to find the money to fund places like this. They have to fund it by attracting numbers – it is a Catch 22 position.’
‘Around 50 percent of people visiting here are tourists from outside the UK, primarily to take an Instagram selfie,’ Mrs. Skeaping observes. ‘It spoils the character of the place. I think numbers should be somehow limited.’
Gus Pickett, a supervisor with the Beachy Head chaplaincy service who also resides in one of the cottages, corroborates the increasing strain. ‘I’ve been here for six years, and it has definitely gotten worse. The number of coaches unloading hundreds of visitors is incredible.’
‘It has a real impact on the roads and infrastructure, as well as the natural environment, like the grassland which is trampled. It’s ridiculous really,’ he adds. ‘There can be thousands of people here on a sunny weekend. I’m not sure what they get out of it beyond ticking off a photo or a selfie.’
Birling Gap’s appeal has been further amplified among South East Asian tourists due to Korean and Taiwanese celebrities filming content there.
Rhys Webb, an ice-cream vendor in the car park, confirms this trend: ‘There are a lot of South East Asian visitors. It is very popular among that group of tourists. It’s one of our most lucrative spots on the south coast.’
Philip Dean, 72, a frequent walker in the area, highlights the environmental consequences: ‘Tourists don’t stick to the pathways and cause damage to the flora and fauna. Rare seabirds used to nest here, but the visitor numbers have scared them off.’
‘It is an incredible site, but it can’t sustain the current visitor volume. In the 25 years I’ve been walking this coast, it has definitely declined due to tourism traffic.’
Coastal Erosion at Birling Gap
Natural Processes and Safety Concerns
Birling Gap cliffs are particularly susceptible to coastal erosion. They have retreated 90 meters since 1873. Several cottages have been lost to erosion over the years. Safety guidelines from the RNLI and coastguards advise maintaining a distance of at least 100m (320ft) from the cliff edge and avoiding the cliff base.
A substantial chalk slab collapsed in 2016, marking one of the largest falls in 50 years, causing a significant section of coastline to disappear. Coastal erosion has accelerated due to severe winters and changing environmental factors.
The cafe at Birling Gap was closed and partially demolished in 2023 due to safety concerns after cliff falls left it dangerously close to the edge.
Cuckmere Haven, a mile from Birling Gap, features the iconic coastguard cottages, now 30 meters closer to the cliff edge than their original construction point in 1822. Their popularity, especially in Japan where they are featured in travel magazines, contributes to visitor numbers. Coastal erosion also threatens Cuckmere Haven, prompting a fundraising campaign, supported by Dame Judi Dench, for new sea defenses.
A local resident recounted an incident highlighting tourist misconceptions: ‘One cottage owner had two women walk into her house and ask for two teas and a can of coke – they thought it was a cafe.’
Kettlewell: Yorkshire Dales Community Divided
Tourism Decline Sparks Economic Worries
Conversely, Kettlewell, a village in the Yorkshire Dales, is reportedly experiencing a tourism downturn following disputes over a local farm’s campsite operation. The community is split on tourism’s impact. Some residents, particularly retirees, express irritation at visitor numbers.
However, long-term Kettlewell residents argue that the village heavily relies on tourism for economic vitality and attracting new inhabitants. The central issue involves the Low Hall Farm campsite, facing enforcement due to unauthorized camping and caravanning. Its future hinges on an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
David Hey, 60, a chef at the Blue Bell Hotel, arrived intending to stay briefly but has lived in Kettlewell for six years. ‘The state of the tourist industry is sore. The national park closed the pop-up car park, the only motorhome space. It’s usually busy now, but the town is dead, like a ghost town.’
‘In summer, up to 100 caravans or motorhomes would stay there. Another campsite closure due to retirement exacerbates the situation. Pubs, delis, and shops are all affected. The National Park shut it down because a few retired residents wanted green fields, disregarding tourism’s importance.’
Nicky White, 53, owner of ‘& Then Deli,’ agrees: ‘The village relies mainly on tourism as permanent residents can’t sustain shops, pubs, and cafes. Young families won’t move here without businesses. Everything is interdependent. If young families leave, the school faces closure, and the village becomes a glorified residential home. The lifeblood will be gone.’
Chris Grantham, 73, and his wife Diane, 69, regular visitors since 1989, note the change. Diane: ‘We love it here, even from Leamington Spa.’ Chris: ‘We come off-season to avoid crowds, but it’s been quieter recently. Pubs are closing or have reduced hours. It’s still a nice place.’
‘We know some villagers see tourists as a nuisance, but without tourism, the village would struggle. It’s a beautiful village,’ acknowledges Chris.
Simon Johnston, 49, owner of Kettlewell Village Store, a village fixture since the 1800s with a coffee shop, says ‘Business is very difficult, almost impossible. Last year was the worst ever. Holiday cottage occupants order groceries online, which hurts my business. Campers were regular customers for bread and milk. I need the campers.’
‘We’ve noticed a downturn. This village used to be besieged. The downturn is partly due to financial situations and weather. This year is slightly better than last year, but weather is a major factor.’
Susanne and Ken Riches, aged 77 and 79, also observe fewer visitors. Susanne: ‘We come three or four times a year from Lancaster. It’s quiet now, but it’s pre-holiday period.’ Ken: ‘It’s quieter than before, though there are more tea rooms. Some want more shops, but we like it as it is.’
Long-Term Resident Perspective
Balancing Tradition and Tourism
Graeme Rushmer, 71, a long-term Kettlewell resident since age 14, has witnessed changes. ‘Some people here hate tourists; some love them. During the scarecrow festival, thousands come daily. Last year was the 30th anniversary, and we are doing it again this year.’
‘There is an issue with holiday cottages and second homes – 40% of houses are second homes or holiday lets. Some retirees, like former bankers, move here to retire.’
‘I love tourists. Cyclists are the nuisance; heads down, they miss the Dales, cycle three abreast, and disregard local traffic. But tourists are welcome. During the scarecrow festival, the WI bakes for months, freezing items for visitors. Last year, the festival raised £30,000 for village upkeep. But there are problems.’
‘The nearest supermarket is 6 miles away. Without young families and children, the school will close. They even want to close the Grassington sorting office. The postman is often the only daily contact for remote residents.’
Barbara Lambert, 79, another long-standing resident, adds: ‘You can’t do without tourism these days, especially with farming’s reliance on machinery. For years, the national park treated this place like a museum, but that’s changing, as places that don’t move forward die. There’s no money in farming. We try to be environmentally conscious with our B&B, bringing people in.’
‘The main problem isn’t holiday cottages but second homes. Some second homeowners visit only every three months for a weekend. Upon arrival, a Tesco van delivers their groceries, which helps local businesses not at all.’