A New Way to Rural Pursuits
A drive to encourage walkers, cyclists and horse-riders into the South East's countryside has been relaunched by the Rural Ways Partnership and Tourism South East (TSE). www.ruralways.org.uk is the online gateway to the countryside with an array of useful information to make rural South East more accessible.
Managed by TSE, the enhanced www.ruralways.org.uk aims to be the single best resource for information on outdoor activities in the South East; benefiting the local economy and highlighting the health and cultural advantages of spending time in the countryside. It includes a range of information on routes, events, news and short breaks in the region.
Visitors can explore great break ideas taking in the South East's landscapes, heritage and characterful towns. They can explore the 106 mile South Downs Way bridle path which runs along the backbone of the famous South Downs from Eastbourne to Winchester, with striking views across the Weald to the North and out to sea to the South. Fantastic cycling exists on the peaceful lanes that wind across Romney Marshes and there are endless possibilities for walking including the rolling hills of the Chilterns, the Thames Path and the Ridgeway.
South East rural businesses can also log onto www.ruralways.org.uk/partners/ and promote their organisation by submitting information on walking, cycling and equestrian routes, rural-based events and up-to-date news on countryside initiatives, openings and launches absolutely free. Local food producers and farmers can also add to a vast directory of more than 200 food producers and 100 farmers markets.
Dougal Driver, Rural Ways Partnership Chairman, said: "Rural Ways has been created in partnership with TSE, DEFRA, GOSE and the county councils in the South East region to bring together the most up-to-date user friendly information to promote the region to potential customers."
Rachel Simpson Rural Development Manager at TSE said: "Rural breaks are becoming increasingly popular as people seek to relax and enjoy exercise in the countryside - from the gentle to the energetic. This site highlights the thousands of opportunities to do so in the South East."
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For further information please contact Jodie Hodge TSE Corporate Communications on 023 8062 5502 or jhodge@tourismse.com or James Blair TSE Development on 023 8062 5499 or jblair@tourismse.com
Notes to Editor
Tourism South East (TSE) is the strategic tourism body for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
Rural Ways aims to be the single best resource for information on outdoor activities in the south east. It includes a range of information on routes, events, news and short breaks in the region and covers the full TSE area. It is the product of the Rural Ways Partnership whose members include Defra, GOSE, Countryside Agency, local authorities, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and other interested parties.