The woeful tale of towns and cities overrun by tourism seems to be everywhere these days, from the glittering beaches of Greece and Italy to the oh-so-quaint villages of the Cotswolds.In recent years, many beloved British destinations have fallen victim to the curse of overtourism – and the growing wave of local protests demanding something be done about it.Just this weekend, a particularly British form of demonstration erupted in Bourton-on-the-Water, a once-sleepy corner of the Cotswolds that has become the latest victim of overtourism.Some 100 residents gathered on the village green beside the River Windrush at 8am, holding placards and wearing T-shirts with ‘We love tourists’ printed on the front and ‘Just not this many!’ on the back.The population of Bourton-on-the-Water, in Gloucestershire, is fewer than 4,000, yet the village can attract up to 10,000 tourists a day at peak times.But it’s far from the only UK hotspot struggling under the weight of visitors. These are the worst – and where you should go instead…Where tourists are no longer wanted… BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, COTSWOLDS Crowds line the bridge and streets in increasingly packed Bourton-on-the-Water Gone are the days when the destinations was under the radar, as now it can attract up to 10,000 tourists in a single dayThe protests over the weekend were the culmination of growing discontent over the last few months.Residents have previously said they are under siege by tourists ruining their village – after it was revealed that 300,000 day-trippers arrived in a single year.Bourton-on-the-Water is regularly crowded with international visitors taking pictures and vlogging, after being dubbed the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ for its beautiful low bridges which connect it to the River Windrush.But councillors have claimed it is now being ‘ruined’ by TikTokers, after locals in the small village with a population of just 4,000 had to battle hundreds of thousands of tourists.Visitors have been pictured standing in the river, blocking roads and causing endless queues at local pubs and bakeries.In one ironic TikTok posted by user Christopher Lee, who has over 55,000 followers, the vlogging visitor films the quaint village and comments: ‘I am obsessed, this is one place I would love to live in – but it’s just full of tourists.’Indeed, residents have said they have had enough, with a new survey finding that 90 per cent of those living in Bourton say tourists are ‘blighting their lives’.The survey by Bourton Residents’ Voice found that 94.6 per cent of residents believe there are too many visitors, and 90.8 per cent reported a negative impact on their quality of life.It also found that 92.6 per cent felt traffic and parking was not run properly, while 82 per cent said Bourton has lost its sense of community.BIBURY, COTSWOLDS Bibury, often considered ‘England’s prettiest village’, is suffering similarly Tourist coaches, rammed car parks and hordes of visitors fill up the Cotswolds destinationElsewhere in the Cotswolds, residents in ‘England’s prettiest village’ have complained that the area has become overrun by tourists.The quaint and picturesque Cotswolds village of Bibury, famed for its 14th-century honey-coloured stone cottages, has even rejected a new development because of fears it may attract yet more visitors.It was originally made famous by textile designer and writer William Morris, who described it as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ in the 19th century.But now furious locals have warned that the influx of tourists pouring into the area throughout the year is becoming unsustainable.Coaches and cars bringing tourists to the village are clogging up the narrow country lanes that run through Bibury, which locals said is causing dangerous traffic gridlock.Pedestrians have been forced to ‘run the gauntlet’ across the highway where the planned development would be built.Now local councillors have rejected plans to turn a storage area on the ground floor of existing barns into a cafe and shopping area – fearing the wrath of residents.(PARTS OF) CORNWALL Cornwall beaches in destinations such as St Ives regularly see huge crowdsCornwall has been victim of overtourism for years.Frustrated residents have said they are fed up of ‘Emmets’ – a Cornish slang term for outsiders and tourists – causing havoc on the streets.Recently, residents in Cornwall shared images of tourists parking their cars on double yellow lines, blocking roads and even driving the wrong way as they make their way down south for the school summer holidays. Just a year ago, locals in some of Cornwall’s most popular towns were griping about the impact holidaymakers were having on their daily lives.Enraged by a ‘tourist takeover’ of resorts such as St Ives, where around one in six houses in the picturesque Cornish town are holiday homes, full-time residents have been more than vocal about their desire to reclaim the coastal areas they grew up in.Perhaps the most plain-speaking example of such frustrations though came during the last major staycation summer in 2022, when the head of now-defunct tourist organisation Visit Cornwall, Malcolm Bell, said the region only wanted ‘certain types’ of holidaymakers.He told Cornwall Live at the time: ‘You have friends, then you have guests, then you have tourists, then you have bloody tourists, then you have f***ing emmets. You can quote me on that.’Such a potentially chilly welcome has undoubtedly had an impact on the number of visitors to the South West, with tourism down by 12 per cent in 2024 before rising slightly last year.Visitors who were once drawn to the area for its pretty seaside villages and warm climate have cited high costs, gridlocked traffic and crowded beaches as reasons for staying away.Last autumn, Cornwall’s official tourist board entered voluntary liquidation, saying it faced ‘insurmountable financial problems’.THE LAKE DISTRICT Lake District hotspots including Bowness-On-Windermere, Cumbria are filled with visitorsIt’s a region famous for its sense of solitude, rolling hills, characterful villages and tranquil waters – except that’s not quite the reality of the Lake District in 2026.Year-round, hordes of tourists armed with camera phones and picnics now make for Cumbria to enjoy England’s largest national park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.As the more central parts of the Lake District – such as Ambleside, Windermere and Coniston – are bustling with visitors, the outer areas are, say locals, fast in danger of becoming England’s next overtourism hotspots, following in the footsteps of Cornwall and the Cotswolds.Some 18 million visitors go to the Lake District every year, with 41 million descending on the wider Cumbrian region and one resident, Dr Karen Lloyd, said tourism has become ‘incredibly disruptive for local people’ in recent years.The author and campaigner previously told the Daily Mail those who live here now face ‘gridlocked roads’ if they want to visit the most beautiful parts of the Lakes – and fear the environmental impact such traffic will have on the landscapes.Then there’s the issue of ‘second homes’, which are snapped up by the rich to rent out to visitors, increasingly pricing out those who have spent their whole lives here.EDINBURGH Crowds fill up the picturesque streets of Edinburgh, especially during the summerWith Scottish capital’s Fringe Festival underway, hundreds of thousands of people are flocking to the city. Overcrowding is a huge problem – and it’s only getting worse. And now visitors in campervans are crowding out other motorists from on-street parking. Guests staying in the capital this year have to pay the new visitor levy of 5 per cent on overnight stays for the first five consecutive stays on top of all the other expenses.The tax covers self-catering apartments, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation while those staying at caravan and camping sites also have to pay it.But people in motorhomes parked on streets with no overnight charges are exempt.SALCOMBE Salcombe, known as Chelsea-on-Sea, has soared in popularityThe stunning Devon town, dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’, has for years been mobbed by tourists and second home owners.With its stunning turquoise waters and charming hillside vistas, Salcombe has been an iconic seaside destination for British families for more than a century.But in recent years, the growing influx of holidaymakers and day-trippers has made locals’ lives a misery.Traffic congestion, pressure on parking spaces, packed bars and booked-out restaurants are just some of the complaints from the town’s fed-up residents.Many visitors say the town has become so popular they will no longer make the journey to the south Devon hotspot during the holiday season or at weekends.Sky-high prices for accommodation, food and drink, and the ‘thuggish’ behaviour of younger people holidaying in the town, together with a lack of diversity, were among the other gripes of residents…. and the destinations to choose insteadMARKET HARBOROUGH Market Harborough has all the village charm and quiet canals visitors love in the CotswoldsYou’ve heard of the Cotswolds, of course – but what about the ‘Notswolds’?The Welland Valley, on the border of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, has gained this comical nickname due to its beauty as well as its much more budget-friendly price tag.Market Harborough, right in the heart of this region, is a standout destination to visit, with many of the same attractions you’d find in the Cotswolds.In terms of pretty streets to explore, this market town has it all – boutique shops, historic houses and cottages, and a market dating back to 1204.There’s no shortage of things to do outside. Check out Wistow Maze for a family-friendly day out, or visit the canals. Adrenaline junkies can also enjoy quad biking, off-road driving and clay pigeon shooting at Avalanche Adventure.SHROPSHIRE HILLS The rolling Shropshire Hills are perfect for a sleepy green getawayThe Shropshire Hills may not have the same ring to it as the Cotswolds.But towns such as Church Stretton, Bishop’s Castle, Craven Arms, Clun, Much Wenlock and Cleobury Mortimer have just the same English feel to them as many alternatives.No convincing is required of the beauty of the surrounding countryside, either – the Shropshire Hills National Landscape is one of the best in the UK.It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958 (now known as a National Landscape).In September, check out Ludlow’s food festival, too, for a taste of independent products and a congenial vibe.SEAFORD, SUSSEX Seaford is much quieter than its nearby alternatives, such as BrightonSeaford is a more relaxed alternative to Brighton, with a laid-back feel and easy access to the famous Seven Sisters cliffs. A popular activity is walking up to Seaford Head for panoramic coastal views or heading towards Birling Gap for a longer hike. Pack a picnic or grab something local and enjoy one of the UK’s most scenic stretches of coastline for free. THE CAMBRIAN MOUNTAINS, WALES Views of the Cambrian Mountains shine a light on the best of the UK landscapeThe Cambrian Mountains in Wales attract far fewer crowds than other popular Welsh destinations such as the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.If you’re after an outdoorsy family holiday, scale the peak of Pumlumon Fawr, enjoy stargazing and undertake one of the hikes and treks in this region.Often dubbed the ‘Desert of Wales’, the mountainous landscape is perfect for exploring totally undisturbed by fellow travellers.PEAK DISTRICT Swap the Lake District for the picture-perfect Peak DistrictThe Lake District may be stunning – but the Peak District has all of the magnificent scenery, and nowhere near as many crowds.For a standout stay, opt for Swinney Wood Log Cabins, right on the edge of the Peak District – it was voted Europe’s Most Romantic Resort 2025 in the World Travel Awards.And while it might not possess the glitz and glam of places like the Ritz in London or Paris’s elegant five-star hotels, it has one key advantage: it’s entirely crowd-free.The cabins have sweeping views of the spectacular Derwent Valley, a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding international importance.ALNMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND Take a train trip to thoroughly underappreciated AlnmouthThis postcard-perfect Northumberland village offers sweeping sandy beaches and peaceful coastal walks, making it ideal for those looking to escape the bank holiday crowds. The walk from Alnmouth station is part of the appeal, taking around 30 minutes through open countryside and along the estuary before reaching the village’s colourful cottages and wide, unspoilt beach. It offers a simple, low-cost day out built around nature, fresh sea air and a relaxed pub lunch. Tickets start from £14.30 from Newcastle with Trainline.BAMBURGH, NORTHUMBERLAND Highly regarded Bamburgh beach and castle should top your UK travel bucket listThe beach in front of Bamburgh Castle feels so vast that overcrowding rarely happens – you can walk along it for miles without having to share your path.The beach has regularly been ranked as Britain’s best – so it should be at the top of your list. If you’re visiting, the castle is well worth a look, and the scenery looks like something out of a movie.It has even starred on the big screen more than once, including in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.LOWESWATER, LAKE DISTRICT Finally, rounding out the list of crowd-free spots is Loweswater in the Lake DistrictLoweswater is another such destination – all the beauty, none of the crowds.There’s plenty to do here, too, with excellent food and drink.Lake District expert Tom Chesshyre, author of Lost in the Lakes, wrote in the Daily Mail: ‘Nestled between Loweswater and Crummock Water, Kirkstile Inn is a hiker’s dream with a beer terrace at the back facing the towering slopes of Mellbreak fell.’Expect roaring fires when it’s chilly and steady chatter in the main bar, with its low ceiling and beams.’Good sandwiches are served (£9) as well as famous steak and ale pies (£17), along with pints of Loweswater Gold (£4.90).’