All the latest news from the Hadrian's Wall Trust and Hadrian's Wall Country

8th February 2013
WORLD HERITAGE ECO-TOURISM BOOST FOR NORTH AND WEST CUMBRIA 

A £589,000 Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) grant to develop eco-tourism in north and west Cumbria has been made to the Hadrian's Wall Trust by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The project covers tourism activity incorporating nature and wildlife, walking and cycling, local produce and accommodation, all linked to the Hadrian's Wall Country brand.

The Trust, which is based in Hexham, has set up a satellite office in Maryport and a new post of project manager has been created to lead work with local businesses.

Rural Affairs Minister Richard Benyon said: "Hadrian's Wall is a world-class heritage site and a great place to experience our iconic countryside. We want to help aspiring local businesses and this £589,000 grant will help them make the most of the opportunities brought to the area by thousands of visitors every year.

"Our heritage sites and countryside are a real draw for holidaymakers and sightseers. There is a big opportunity to grow the rural economy through tourism. That is why we are putting in £25 million to promote it across the country."

Linda Tuttiett, chief executive of the Hadrian's Wall Trust said: "The 150 mile Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site is the whole of the Roman Frontier zone - including the Roman coastal defences at Ravenglass, Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport and Bowness-on-Solway, the western end of Hadrian's Wall - and we want more visitors to come to north and west Cumbria including the rural areas of Bewcastle, Lanercost and Brampton east of Carlisle.

"The aims of this eco-tourism project are to help local businesses grow the sustainability through their association with the world heritage site, and to help visitors to value and understand the world heritage site more through interpretation, access and signage.

"The Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site attracts visitor spend of over £880 million per annum to the north of England. This programme will encourage much growth at the western end of the frontier and we want local Cumbrian businesses to benefit and thrive."

RDPE supports rural areas in a number of ways which recognise the connections between agricultural and economic development, environmental stewardship and community sustainability. It is part funded by the EU through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural development Europe investing in rural areas, managed by Defra.

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