I visited little village constantly named UK's most beautiful - it's not really worth it

The Cotswolds is famously one of the UK's most picturesque regions, and its stunning landscape and collection of villages attracts up to 38million visitors a year. Even the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, chose to stay in the area during his holiday in Britain this year. Those who plan to drop by tend to ask the internet or do some research as to where is best to spend their time, with many historic settlements, such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Bibury vying for tourist income.

Overtourism is also a problem, however, with some locals complaining about the strain so many visitors are having on local infrastructure. Castle Combe, on the southern fringes of the Cotswolds, is frequently named as the UK's prettiest village, and it is swarmed by people wanting to capture a glimpse of its beauty every year, both with their naked eyes and through a camera. Stories of their rudeness, such as peering inside houses, knocking on residents doors and even asking to come inside their homes, shocked me during a visit.

Another impression I got was that, well, there was nothing to do there.

Tourists, including a lot of Americans and some seemingly from Asia, were wandering around, high on chocolateboxness, gazing upon the yellow brickwork of the village's buildings, taking selfies and exclaiming "wow" aloud.

I, too, was impressed upon first arriving; it felt like a film set.

But this quickly wore off, and, if I were there for pleasure and not to work, I would have left.

This is the view of Fred Winup, who has been chairman of the parish council for more than 20 years.

He recently told the Express that the village is a "lovely place to live".

But, he added, "when you think of it, this is a 15th- or 16th-century village".

"They [the buildings] are all Grade listed," Mr Winup said.

"You can't alter them.

"Nobody's going to start putting supermarkets down here, or anything like that.

"It's a quiet place to come and visit, maybe spend an hour here, and that's it."

Castle Combe's market cross - erected in the 14th century when permission to hold a weekly market in the village was granted - is worth seeing.

As is the 13th century St Andrew's Church, which, incidentally, is trying to raise £330,000 to carry out urgent roof repairs to all south and east roof slopes.

There is also a hotel, the Castle Inn and a pub, the White Hart.

But other Cotswolds tows and villages (Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, Cirencester and Tetbury for instance) have a lot more going for them, with many offering more food options and lots of independent shops.

These still come with the typical Cotswolds village feel that you get in Castle Combe.

If you're desperate to visit, though, I'd recommend not scheduling too much time.