The Mendip Hills National Landscape Team is calling on residents and visitors to share their views this summer as part of an important new survey aimed at shaping the future of access and recreation across the Mendip Hills.
Over the coming months, there will be researchers engaging directly with people at key visitor locations throughout the Mendip Hills, inviting them to take part in a user survey. In addition, an online version of the survey is now available, making it easy for anyone who enjoys the Mendip Hills to have their say. Paper copies of the survey will be available on request and at key local outlets.
The survey seeks to better understand how people use the landscape — including who is visiting, where they go, and why — as well as gathering feedback on what people value most about the area and what they feel could be improved.
Your voice matters
Whether you are a local resident who walks the hills regularly or a visitor enjoying a day out, your insights will play a vital role in shaping how the Mendip Hills are managed and enjoyed in the future.
By taking part, respondents will help the team build a clearer picture of recreational use across the landscape. This information will inform the development of a new Recreation Strategy, ensuring it reflects the needs and expectations of those who know and love the area.
Building a stronger evidence base
The survey represents the first step in developing this Recreation Strategy. The feedback gathered will provide valuable qualitative data, complementing the wider evidence base that the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team is already compiling.
This combined approach will help ensure that future plans strike the right balance between access, enjoyment, and the conservation of this nationally important landscape.
Engaging local businesses and farmers
In recognition of the important role that local tourism plays in the area, a dedicated survey will also be distributed to tourism businesses across the Mendip Hills. Their perspectives will be key in understanding visitor patterns, pressures, and opportunities from a business and service perspective. Farmers and landowners are encouraged to complete the business related and there will be further detailed consultation with them after this summer.
Have your say
Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills National Landscape manager, said, ‘We’re encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to share their views. We know how much people love using the area but we also appreciate that some areas can feel over-used which affects local people’s lives and wildlife. Look out for the researchers across the Mendip Hills this summer, or complete the survey online. Together, people’s feedback will help shape a Recreation Strategy that supports both people and nature, ensuring the Mendip Hills continue to be a special place for generations to come.’
To take part in the User Survey please visit this webpage Sustainable Recreation – Mendip Hills National Landscape. To request a paper copy of the survey email mendip@mendiphills-nl.org.uk or call 01761 462338.