Discover Nadder Website Launched

www.discovernadder.org.uk

Discover Nadder, a new website promoting tourism and businesses in the Nadder Valley, is now live; ideal if you are running a tourism related business across the Cranborne Chase AONB.

The website was put together by Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, working in partnership with partners and local businesses, as part of a Sustainable Rural Tourism Pilot Project to help improve the visitor economy of the area. 



We hope the site will promote the Cranborne Chase AONB as an outstanding destination for people to visit benefiting businesses like pubs, shops and accommodation providers, and provide ready made experiences for visitors who are interested in the outdoors and wish to discover more about the history and wildlife of the area.

The Nadder Valley stretches from Wilton to Shaftesbury and includes part of Wiltshire and Dorset. It is a beautiful and largely undiscovered area with over 30 picturesque villages dotted along the River Nadder. Highlights include:

• Tisbury, the largest of the Nadder Valley villages; at its heart is a friendly and thriving High Street as well as a convenient railway station for day-trippers wishing to come from Salisbury.
• Postcard pretty historic villages like East Knoyle, birthplace of architect Sir Christopher Wren whose masterpiece was St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
• The wild open expanses and tranquillity of the chalk downs.
• Great historic estates of Dinton Park, Fonthill and Wardour.
• Ancient churches, Iron Age Hill Forts and ancient burial grounds.
• Major attractions like Old Wardour Castle near Tisbury, one of the Nadder Valley’s best kept secrets.

The AONB and South West Wiltshire Area Board have recently committed funding to create a similar website for the Chalke Valley. If you would like to be involved in this process or have any comments/suggestions on ‘Discover Nadder’ then please contact Steve Harris, Community Area Manager for South West Wiltshire Area Board. There will be an evening on Thursday 27th February when you can drop in to learn more about this exciting venture at the Crown Alvesdiston from 4 - 7pm. 

Walk Unlimited Brings A Fresh New Look To National Trails

 

National Trails website puts you one click away from the best trails in England and Wales

The official launch of the new National Trails website has taken place (www.nationaltrail.co.uk) which is packed with practical information and new maps for the 15 National Trails in England and Wales offering over 2,500 miles of some of the best walking, riding and cycling experiences for people who love outdoor adventures. National Trails pass through many stunning and diverse landscapes, and there is something to suit everyone: from short walks to a life-changing 630 mile long-distance coastal trek.

The new web site is the result of an innovative partnership between Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, and site developer and owner, Walk Unlimited.  The site uses high quality mapping thanks to support from the Ordnance Survey, showing the Trails in great detail as well as nearby attractions and facilities to visit – such as castles, churches, parks and museums. 

Recommended itineraries for walking and cycling are easily downloadable, and there are ideas for tailored outings such as geocaching trails too.  Families, outdoor enthusiasts and walkers – solo or in groups – can use the website with ease to plan the best exploration of our National Trails.

For the first time, new interactive features mean that local businesses can upload details of the services they provide to people visiting the area. This includes how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to eat, and where to find facilities such as bike hire shops, horse-riding stables and outdoor equipment shops.

Trail users and local residents can upload content including photographs, word-of-mouth recommendations and reviews, plus details of visitor events. Together they give an insider’s view on National Trails, from where to eat fabulous ice cream, to where to see spectacular views, find hidden treasures and spot wonderful wildlife. They can even use the site to report any relevant ‘breaking news’ issues – making the website a topical, as well as useful, resource for planning your Trail visit.

Environment Minister, Dan Rogerson, said: “National Trails pass through some of the most stunning landscapes in Britain and are a welcome attraction for visitors. This new website will make it easier for people to make the most of the countryside and can help build stronger local economies and businesses.”

John Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport at the Welsh Government said: “This development should enable businesses to further benefit from our well established National Trails, as well as improve the experience of visitors. The Wales Coast Path has provided a significant economic boost for Wales and local businesses since it opened, and capitalises on the Welsh countryside and coast being a fantastic draw for visitors to Wales. It’s important that we continue to invest in the trail facilities and information so that they are up to the job of giving people a quality experience.”

Anne Clark, Walk Unlimited’s Managing Director, said: "We're really excited to have the responsibility for promoting National Trails. They are the best trails in the country and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy them. The new website is just the start of our work to raise awareness of these fabulous trails, and the amazing landscapes they pass through." 

Liz Newton, Natural England’s Access and Engagement Director, said: “Our countryside is inspirational – this web site will help more people to discover it. Walk Unlimited have been a great partner to work with and are running the site as a self-funding commercial enterprise meaning that National Trails can be effectively marketed without having to draw on the public purse.”

Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: “Walking is hugely popular in Wales with both local people and visitors who enjoy our beautiful and varied countryside – bringing with them a welcome boost to our economy.

“As well as the financial benefits walking also brings with it many health benefits, we already know that *34% of visitors to National Trails are motivated by the health benefits they will get from the exercise. The website will be a really useful tool for everyone looking to get out and enjoy our magnificent countryside.”

The URL for the new website is: www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Follow @NationalTrails and visit Facebook (thenationaltrails)

Could you use the bus to get to work, but it’s too far to walk to the bus stop?

The council has won funding to install cycle parking at bus stops in Southern Wiltshire which is likely to be a smart-card accessible compound for around 5 bikes, or a couple of lockers. Some examples of the places we might investigate are Codford, Steeple Langford, Amesbury, the Winterbournes, Nunton and Downton.  

If you know of any locations in southern Wiltshire which would benefit from cycle parking at bus stops, please send suggestions to Transportation@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Please be as specific as you can about the locations (e.g. Winterbourne Gunner – Policeman’s Corner for example), and tell us how often you might park your bike there.

Sustainable transport gets a pick up

THE Department for Transport has awarded £3.8m to Hampshire County Council, the New Forest National Park and South Downs National Park – together with the neighbouring highways authorities of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and Wiltshire – for initiatives to reduce the impact of traffic on the two national parks.



The money will be spent on improving key public transport services into the two National Parks, making it easy to reach visitor attractions, promoting travel by cycle, bus and rail and managing traffic.


Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “This will help us significantly in working towards establishing a number of initiatives with the potential to reduce the impact of traffic and transport on these unique areas of the countryside, famous for their outstanding natural beauty.” Julian Johnson, chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation funding opportunity.


“I am so pleased that everyone’s hard work has paid off and that we have been successful. We now have a real opportunity to make a difference to sustainable transport in the New Forest.”

Cranborne Chase Cycling Route from Bikely.com

WMB137 Cranborne Chase Dorset_Classic Routehttp://www.blogger.com/