Profile for Somerset County Council
Life in Somerset
Somerset’s Economy
Overall, Somerset has a stable and successful economy, with many economic indicators performing better than the regional and national averages. Over the last decade Somerset has maintained a steady level of economic growth, low unemployment and continuous job growth.
The employment structure in Somerset is similar to that of the South West and the UK. However Somerset has a greater proportion of people working in the agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, hotels and restaurants sectors and a smaller percentage of people working in the financial and business services than regionally or nationally.
Somerset has a population of 498,093 (2001 UK Census). The population of the county increased by 7.09% over the period 1991 to 2001. There are a total of 210,587 households in Somerset and the majority of those (74%) are owner occupied.
Housing
There is a great deal of choice where to live with so many beautiful and accessible Somerset villages and market towns to choose from. Picture book thatched cottages, mellow ham stone houses in South Somerset or, the blue lias stone houses of the Mendips.
To find out the latest average house prices in Somerset visit www1.landregistry.gov.uk/houseprices/
Raising Families in Somerset
Childcare supports families in balancing work/life commitments and enables more adults to work. The Early Childhood and Childcare Strategy Group is a multi-agency group working together to ensure that there is sufficient, affordable and accessible quality childcare services for families with children (0-19) in Somerset. By March 2010 there will be 41 Children’s Centres across the county offering a range of services including, integrated early education, childcare, health and family support for families with children under five.
A Great Quality of Life
Somerset has some of the most diverse landscapes in the British Isles, from the remote uplands of Exmoor to nationally designated areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Quantock, Blackdown and Mendip Hills and world-renowned ‘wetlands’. The beautiful coastline complements the rolling landscape of south Somerset.
With such a varied and beautiful landscape, it’s not surprising that Somerset has provided the settings for many films, such as ‘Land Girls’, ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘Chocolat’.
Recent surveys have established that the majority of Somerset residents consider the Somerset countryside to be the most important factor in determining their quality of life.
Travelling in Somerset
There is easy access by rail and road to the major city centres such as Taunton, Plymouth, Bristol, Swindon and London. Bristol International Airport has many European and global flights available, with easy parking and a dedicated bus transport system from Bristol city centre.
Within a couple of hours cycling you can travel from the tidal mudflats of Bridgwater Bay in the west, across the Levels and Moors and Mid Somerset Hills to the limestone Yeovil Scarplands in the east. From the north, in a day’s cycling, you can travel from the Mendip limestone plateau through the dramatic Cheddar Gorge, across the Levels and Moors to the Vale of Taunton Deane and over the scarp of the Blackdown Hills with its flat-topped plateau into Devon.
Things to do in Somerset
There is a host of cultural, leisure and sporting activities, see our list of links for more information.
Disclaimer:
Somerset County Council does not endorse and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the contents of websites referenced by an external link.
Housing
Estate Agents & Rental Companies
http://www.ourproperty.co.uk/directory/somerset.html - comprehensive house price list.
http://www.themovechannel.co.uk/ - Property portal with thousands of property and website listings.
http://www.primelocation.com/- Property listings to buy and rent.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/- Find property online, search a wide range of property for sale.
Recreation
Arts
http://www.somersetarts.com/ - Arts information site for communities and arts workers in Somerset to promote and share their creativity with other residents and visitors.
http://www.somersetartweek.org.uk/- Information on Somerset Art Week, the largest visual arts event in Somerset.
Entertainment & nightlife
http://www.butlinsonline.co.uk/index.cfm?page=2087&wt.svl=356498- Information on the entertainment and facilities available at Somerwest World in Minehead.
Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton - News, shows and information.
http://www.cineworld.co.uk/ - Information on current features and coming attractions at Cineworld cinemas.
http://www.odeon.co.uk/ - Information on current features and coming attractions at Odean cinemas.
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ - Official site of the Glastonbury festival.
Countryside
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-wessex.htm - National Trust news and information for the Wessex region (incorporating Somerset).
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/Projects/ColeridgeWay/coleridgeway.htm - ‘In the footsteps of a romantic poet’, details on The Coledridge Way (part of Exmoor National Park).
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002003004002003006 - English Heritage information on the Quantocks, AONB.
Somerset County Council routefinder - Somerset County Council site detailing cycle, riding, and walking routes through Somerset.
BBC coastal information - Information on Somerset coastal walks.
Sports & Gyms
BBC sporting information - Details and information on many aspects of sport in Somerset.
Sport Focus - Listing of Somerset sport centres.
www.health-club.net/somerset.htm - Directory of Somerset health clubs.
What’s On
Celebrating Somerset - Site giving information on events, accommodation and attractions in Somerset.
Dillington House- Comprehensive list of adult courses.
Somerset Gateway - Site designed to help you get the most from Somerset.
UpMyStreet business listing - Quick and easy way to find a local business in Somerset.
Schools
http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/default.asp - Comprehensive directory for Somerset schools and education contacts.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/ - Ofsted, inspectorate for children and learners in England.
BBC school league tables - Detailing secondary schools in Somerset.
Worship
UpMyStreet places to worship - Search facility to locate places of worship in Somerset.
