Get out and explore the rural areas

Visitors will be encouraged to stay longer and explore further afield thanks to a new project funded by Bath and North East Somerset Council with Visit Somerset. The funding initiative for the next 12 months will enable tourism website provider Visit Somerset to work with the 51 town and parish councils in North East Somerset to help them highlight attractions in their area with a free membership package for each of them. The aim is to ensure that the huge range of amazing places of interest, walks, bike rides and events will then be featured on the website www.visitsomerset.co.uk Councillor Paul Myers, (Conservative Midsomer Norton Redfield) cabinet member for economic and community regeneration, said: “While there has always understandably been a focus on Bath as the ‘jewel in the crown’ in tourism terms, the rural area surrounding Bath also has a huge amount to offer. “Raising awareness will help in two ways. Firstly we get so many visitors to the World Heritage City of Bath, and we are keen to encourage people to stay longer and explore further afield. Secondly, tourism is also about people from Bath and across the authority visiting attractions in North East Somerset either as residents or when their family and friends come to visit. “Our countryside and towns and villages have stunning scenery and facilities for walking, cycling, and some really interesting and important heritage, not to mention numerous community events and festivals. I am really excited at the prospect of seeing the information that will soon be available on the Visit Somerset website.” To ease navigation, the website has four areas – north, west, south and east including information on Bath. Go to www.visitsomerset. co.uk