May 2014
Summer header
Welcome to the Exmoor Tourism Update 

This e-update is produced by the Exmoor National Park Authority as part of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership to keep tourism providers updated with the latest news and to encourage the development of Sustainable Tourism on Exmoor.

  

Please do let us know if there is any relevant sustainable tourism information that you would like us to cover in future issues.

Dan James
Sustainable Economy Manager,
Exmoor National Park Authority.
Making the most of the Coleridge Way

On the 21 May the Coleridge Way extension to Lynmouth will be launched making the complete path 51 miles long from its start at Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey. The website, www.coleridgeway.co.uk, will feature the new route guides (available for the first time in both directions) by the day of the launch and we would encourage you to update any references you have on the path within your own websites too. If you want some background information on the different aspects of the Coleridge Way to help with this you can download an info pack here (PDF).

 

In order to help businesses  to make the most of the Coleridge Way a business workshop takes place on the 10 June from 11am - 2pm at the Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross

 

The session will provide you with the background to the Coleridge Way, top tips on gaining business from walkers, case studies from the industry, and a great opportunity to build networks with different sectors along the route including accommodation providers, local Walkers are Welcome communities, transport / luggage transfer providers, activity providers and information services. There will also be an opportunity to develop and join a new business network to further develop collaboration and support amongst the industry for the route. New Coleridge Way leaflets will also be available for you to collect. 

 

The event is free and includes a buffet lunch. Advanced booking is essential (a charge of �10 will be made for any places booked but not attended due to the costs incurred). To book please email your name, organisations, contact and any dietary requirements to [email protected]. The workshop is supported through the EU Interreg funded COOL tourism project.   

 

In This Issue
Coleridge Way workshop
CareMoor review
Exmoor TV adverts
Exmoor Brand
Put yourself on the map
New web videos
Car free, care free Exmoor
Rights of Way funding
Photo Competition

 Quick Links

 

 Europarc charter logo
Do you want to catch up on past editions? Back issues can be downloaded here.
 
What do you think of visitor gifting?
CareMoor 2 

 

CareMoor for Exmoor is the official Conservation and Access Fund for the National Park supporting a range of projects which wouldn't otherwise be able to go ahead. We're extremely grateful to all those businesses and organisations that help to raise funds from those that enjoy the area and wish to help keep it special whether through Pocket guide collection boxes, one off donations, charging a small supplement or any other means.

 

We are however aware that there is a huge amount of potential to better work with businesses in a genuine two way relationship to raise funds for projects which benefit businesses, visitors and the area. Whether or not you currently participate in CareMoor or any other similar visitor gifting scheme we would love to hear your views on how such a scheme could be more effective. The survey is intentionally short so please take a couple of minutes to let us know what you think.We will be holding workshops later in the year for those that wish to be further involved in the review.

 

Take the survey now 

 

Last year funds collected went to help restore the rights of Way networks after flooding damage over Christmas 2012 which resulted in a number of surfaces being washed out, landslips, hundreds of fallen trees blocking routes, damaged or lost footbridges and much more. This year funds have been allocated towards a new boardwalk at Porlock Marsh to enable better access at all times to this unique habitat. Further details will be provided when the installation is complete.

6 million viewers reached with beauty of Exmoor

 

Two TV adverts, first aired last year, are being screened to a potential estimated audience of 6 million viewers in a bid to raise awareness of Exmoor as a destination. Playing on a range of targeted freeview and subscription channels the adverts went out over 3 weeks in the run up to Easter and a further 3 week period from 2 May in the build up to the main season.

 

The two adverts use footage gathered as part of the new AV experience in the Lynmouth Pavilion. 'A Place for Adventure' has an active theme, and in addition to aerial footage of Exmoor's stunning coastline highlights opportunities available in the area including walking, mountain biking, sailing, high rope adventures and horse riding.'Dream, Discover, Explore' is designed to have a broader appeal There is no voice over until the end, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the high quality footage which starts with a birds eye view swooping up the Hoar Oak Water at Watersmeet.

 

The airtime has been purchased jointly with funding from the National Park Authority's Partnership Fund and West Somerset Council working through the Exmoor Tourism Partnership. Both adverts are available via YouTube should you wish to utuilise them within your own sites and can be viewed here.

Exmoor brand

The new Exmoor brand is becoming increasingly well used by a number of businesses and organisations across the area. Any tourism provider that is a member of a recognised association can use a version of the brand to help promote their association with Exmoor. This is about the place and not a corporate identity for any one individual organisation. 

 

Following feedback some changes have been made to make the brand more simple to use and to extend the use of the brand to producers. So you can now choose from a logo which states you are 'based in' the area or one that states something is 'produced in' the area. As the Exmoor brand incorporates a wide area there are 3 versions of each logo to reflect those that wish to associate generally with Exmoor - Dream, Discover Explore; Exmoor, Coast and Quantocks and; Exmoor National Park. 

 

To download the brand guidelines and the appropriate logo for your organisation click here.

Put yourself on the map
We are able to once again offer tourism providers their own bespoke Exmoor National Park Posters based on either the National Park Pocket Guide or the Dark Sky Reserve Guide. The map on each poster will pinpoint the exact location of your business to help guests orientate themselves along with useful information about what makes Exmoor such a special place and how to best enjoy the National Park / Dark Sky Reserve. They are supplied framed and ready to hang for �20 each (unframed versions can be supplied for �5.

We also have a range of 5 habitat posters. These beautifully depict the different habitats, and the wildlife found within them, on Exmoor. They are unframed but will fit an A2 frame. These are free.

Download an order form here.

New web videos
A series of new web videos produced as part of the EU interreg funded COOL tourism project were released during English Tourism Week with an introduction from Dan Rogerson MP, Rural Affairs Minister. The videos cover different experiences that Exmoor and Somerset offer from fossil hunting to local beers, birdwathching to riding an Exmoor pony and rock pooling, history and much more. Again these are available via You Tube for anyone to embed into their sites should they wish and can be found at http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/rural_experiences

 

Car Free, Care Free Exmoor

ExploreMoor logo There are lots of ways for your visitors to enjoy a car free, care free Exmoor. In addition to traditional public transport services options include walking, cycling and riding as well as activities such as safaris, boat trips, heritage railways and more. Full details can be found on ExploreMoor.

 

Two new services for 2014 include a tour of the Doone Valley with a weekly trip running on Wednesday's to September from Ilfracombe with pre-bookable pickups in Combe Martin and Lynton / Lynmouth operated by the Ilfracombe and District Transport Association with support from the Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund. Call 01271 863630 to book.

 

Escape the City Tours are offering a range of self guided linear walks with transport as well as themed tours of the area, primarily (though not exclusively) operating out of Lynton and Lynmouth. These provide opportunities for those that wish to undertake linear walks, to explore the area without use of their own car or for those wishing to be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Extra help to repair Rights of Way

Exmoor National Park is to receive nearly �100,000 funding from Defra as a share of money awarded for urgent repairs following the winter storms and flooding.  


Commenting on the funding Environment Minister Lord de Mauley said: "Our National Parks are the jewels in the crown of our precious natural environment - this investment will ensure they remain so. Given each pound spent by National Parks on recreation provides �4 of wider benefit, it is essential to get our National Parks back to the highest standards ahead of the busy tourism period."

Read the full story here

'Space to Grow' UK National Parks Photo Competition 

It is often said that the UK's National Parks represent the essence of Britain - its past, its present, and its future. This year's UK National Parks photo competition (14 April - 28 May) is aimed at highlighting the latter of these assets and celebrating the people who will carry the spirit of Britain's breathing spaces in the years to come.

 

And to encourage people to get snapping, our partners at Merrell are once again offering up a prize of top-quality footwear for the best picture.

 

Focusing on the young and the young at heart, the theme of this year's competition is: 'Britain's Breathing Spaces: Space to Grow.' It's a theme that is an extension of our long-standing commitment to ensuring that the beauty and diversity of the National Parks' landscapes will be there to inspire future generations. Read more here.