Elders
THE ‘COOL’ TOURISM PROJECT will use the environment as an asset to promote experiential tourism, unlocking the potential of rural destinations and helping the Transmanche region to compete effectively in the global tourism market.
« COOL Tourism project is being delivered with the support of the European cross-border cooperation program INTERREG IV A , France (Channel) – England, co-funding by the European Regional Development Fund.
The aim of this project is to develop and to promote the rural destination.
The following regions are involved: West Somerset Council, Exmoor National Park Authority, Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Essex, Norfolk, Kent County Council, Visit Kent, Gîtes de France, Somme Tourisme and Pas-de-Calais Tourisme. »
Kent is the oldest county in England and has more castles and historic houses than any other county. Situated in the southeast corner of England, Kent is an easy place to get to whether you’re travelling by road, rail or air. Kent overflows with country parks, special landscapes, and nature reserves.
Essex is a largely rural county with small market towns, traditional villages and tiny hamlets linked by quiet country lanes The Essex countryside is a walking paradise, whether you want to cross the country from southwest to north-east using the well-known Essex Way or other smaller countryside trails or coastal walks.
A gateway county to the South West of England, the country’s most popular tourism region, Somerset has a world-wide reputation as a land of legend, superb food and drink and glorious English countryside. Somerset is perfect for cyclists, walkers and lovers of nature.
Much of West Somerset is a protected landscape. It is protected for its diverse and unique landscape, which lends itself perfectly to activities such as walking, riding and cycling. West Somerset is defined by its dramatic scenery and wildlife, the majority of which is protected as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Exmoor and the Quantock Hills offer visitors a mix of seaside holidays, activities and relaxing rural breaks.
Sedgemoor lies within Somerset with its captivating, yet huge contrasts of landscapes from salt marshes to gently rolling hills, wetlands and moors as well as coast. ‘The land of the Summer People’ reflects that much of the area was flooded in winter months.The diverse countryside leads to a wealth of outdoor activities from hill walking, beaches, horse riding, kite surfing.
Exmoor National Park contains an amazing variety of landscapes. The highest coastal cliffs in mainland Britain give way to a unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years. Cosy pubs, restaurants and tearooms offer delicious local produce direct from the moors to provide the true taste of Exmoor.
Norfolk has a fantastic range of landscapes from its wild north coast designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, the rivers, lakes and marshes of the Broads, the sandy heaths of Breckland, and ancient heaths, fens, grassland and woods – all set under big skies. Norfolk can boast coast, country, fen and forest walking, cycling and horse riding.
Somme offers a lush green countryside and diverse rural landscapes: a coast with dunes, pebble beaches, cliffs, estuary, valley, marshes and a rich local and vernacular heritage, including chapels, shrines and churches. Outdoor activities include sand-yachting, kayaking, horse-riding, guided walks across the bay, hiking trails, bike paths and nature guides.