Bibury, a small parish in Gloucestershire on the River Coln, has been named the best village in the world by Forbes and the Unforgettable Travel Company. The Cotswolds village beat Austria's UNESCO-listed Hallstatt, known for its 16th-century Alpine houses, and Norway's Reine, where red fishermen's cabins sit beneath Arctic fjords.
Arlington Row: The Jewel of Bibury
The 17th-century Arlington Row is considered the jewel in Bibury's crown. This cluster of honey-coloured limestone cottages was built in 1380 as a monastic wool store and later converted into weavers' cottages. Today, the Grade I-listed buildings are among the Cotswolds' most photographed scenes, with private residences and holiday rentals owned by the National Trust. In 2007, the row was used as a location in the film Stardust.
England's Oldest Working Trout Farm
Bibury also boasts England's oldest working trout farm, founded in 1902. Visitors can pay a £9.50 entry fee to explore 15 acres, feed thousands of trout, or rent equipment to catch and cook their own fish for about £115.28 for up to 12 people. The farm's cafe serves locally sourced dishes, including Bibury trout.
Pubs and Walking Trails
The village offers traditional pubs like The Catherine Wheel and The Swan Brasserie. Walking trails include the four-mile Bibury Court Estate circular trail, which takes about two hours through rolling hills and meadows, and the Coln St Alwyns to Bibury Trail. Visitors can also explore the 11th-century St Mary's Church with its Norman carvings and medieval stained glass.
Overtourism Concerns
Bibury suffers from overtourism, receiving up to 20,000 visitors on weekends and up to 50 coaches daily, while home to only about 700 residents. Craig Chapman, chair of Bibury Parish Council, said: 'Whilst the residents of Bibury acknowledge that we live in a lovely village, the pressures put on us by the sheer volume of tourists visiting and coaches bringing tourists has become intolerable and unacceptable.' County councillor Lisa Spivey added that coach arrivals make Bibury 'chaotic almost all year round.' In nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, a 2026 survey found 92% of residents reported traffic and parking issues, and 94.6% said there were too many visitors.
