Kidlington ‘mystery tourists’ baffle Oxfordshire village
Fascinating story about what constitutes tourism in a rural setting. I do wonder why someone hasn’t resolved this riddle by just asking the people concerned about the purpose of their visit. Perhaps our traditional reserve has prevented such an intrusive question. I love the story from Seven Pillars of Wisdom where after weeks alone in the desert Lawrence of Arabia sees camel approaching across the desert. He realizes the rider is English however in the middle of miles of sand he and the other person decide not to converse as they haven’t been formally introduced…
Residents of an Oxfordshire village have been baffled by the weekly appearance of “coach loads” of tourists in their road.
Groups of sightseers in Kidlington have been seen posing for photos in front gardens and against parked cars.
Locals have no idea why the quiet suburb, about five miles north of Oxford, has become a tourist magnet.
Inspector Morse, Love Island and Harry Potter are among the causes suggested for the tourists’ interest.
The phenomenon was first identified in Benmead Road and the Moors on the Spotted: Kidlington Facebook page.
The tourists are a short walk from thatched cottages and an old church, but prefer taking photos of themselves outside modern houses.
“I do find it hilarious, but I am at a loss to understand it,” one poster said. “Whose idea was it to turn Benmead Road into a tourist attraction?”
Residents say the groups have been appearing for the last three weeks.
“I have only seen them once. At midday on Saturday a busload of tourists disembarked with their selfie sticks, taking pictures of people’s houses,” said one.
“It is bizarre, these aren’t even the oldest houses in the village.”