Castle Combe, in the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, is a popular tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. Travelers end up in the quaint town to enjoy the clean air and serene views of the area. However, the village that has become a resting place for city dwellers is turning out to be a nightmare for the locals.
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- Residents want to leave Castle Combe due to influx of tourists
- Reports of locals leaving the village are on the rise
Residents want to leave Castle Combe due to influx of tourists
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The town’s residents hate the fact that their quaint town has become an Instagram hotspot “ruined by Airbnbs and drones.” Castle Combe has been listed at the top of many lists and surveys as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK. However, the utopia has been tarnished by the overwhelming presence of tourists in the town.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the town’s tourist attractions. One such hotspot is the part of town where Stephen Spielberg’s ‘War House’ was filmed. This unwanted attention has forced overwhelmed locals to order these invasive tourists off their property.
Though the town boasts picturesque walking trails and quiet old streets, residents say their privacy has now been invaded by drones and busloads of chaotic guided tours.
Reports of locals leaving the village are on the rise
Residents report a permanent population decline in recent years as wealthy people from out of town have been buying property and keeping it as their vacation homes. Georgina Kingshott, a post-doctoral scientist, moved to the village in 2016 to escape the bustling city life of London and seek a quieter existence.
He expressed his frustration with tourists who fly over drones and treat the area as if it were a spa. Georgina told the Mirror: “During the warmer months people flock here like it’s a beach, which can be quite annoying.”
He added: “People will sit on one of the benches and be here all day.” She remembers that during the lockdown, things went back to normal and everything was “great”. But now that safety limits have been lowered, drones have once again evaded your space. She explained: “It feels very intrusive. They’re not supposed to do that, and there are signs up and down.”
Even with signs posted in enclosed areas, tourists often pretend not to see them and trespass on private land. Such disrespect and the lack of tranquility that the villagers were used to has led many residents to leave the village.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn