It’s so easy to take our county of Somerset for granted, forgetting to appreciate it’s natural and historical wonders, as we live with the daily challenges of accessible transport and financial challenges. But Somerset has its own unique identity within other beautiful neighbouring South West counties, and growing up here is something that shapes our identity. Somerset has so much to offer for both residents and visitors alike, but so much of that depends on proudly taking care of and promoting it, by keeping it clean, safe and preserving its green spaces and historical sites. Here’s Williams article on the topic.
Here in the South West of England, tourism is a vital asset to our communities. In 2020, tourism contributed around £345,000,000 to the economy of Somerset, and 85% of jobs in the county.
Our county is also home to many wonders and attractions, such as:
- Wells Cathedral, which began construction around 1175
- Glastonbury Tor, widely regarded as the ancient isle of Avalon
- Cheddar Gorge, where all authentic cheddar cheese is matured.
All of the South West is also rich in history, with:
- Stonehenge in Wiltshire
- The Jurassic Coast in Devon and Dorset
- The inscription stones in Western Cornwall
However, many aspects of tourism can be negative. For example, around 2,000 tons of litter were left at Glastonbury Festival in 2025, which was luckily picked by around 1,300 volunteers. I believe that it is important to hold a focus on ecotourism in our community, as it can help benefit the South West, and keep our wonders clean.
William
Volunteering for our county
Volunteering is such a great opportunity to get involved, meet new people and make a difference! Why not get in touch with a local community environmental group, or a local tourist organisation. You can learn skills whilst volunteering!
There are loads of opportunities for volunteering across the county, here are just a few:
- Somerset Council Volunteering – features all sorts of volunteering opportunities
- Somerset Wildlife Trust Volunteering Opportunities for Young People
- Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC)
- The National Trust Opportunities for Young People
- English Heritage
- Avalon Marshes
