Watlington Hidden Britain Project

Hidden Britain is a project funded by DEFRA under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, it is supported by Tourism SE and the South East Rural Community Councils. The project aims to aid community development and regeneration in rural communities by working to ensure a better return to the communities from tourism.
The project is working with 10 communities across the South East, of which Watlington is one.

The project aim was to develop a  framework for tourism in Watlington that could be successful now and provide benefits for the future. This was achieved by increasing ease of usage of existing assets and adding value where appropriate.
This project therefore addresses the key subjects of promotion, information provision, and management, and intends to develop a wider collaboration between the communities, businesses and the Chilterns AONB. By doing so Watlington and its parishes become part of something larger and stand to increase the benefit derived from tourism to the area by; attracting sustainable numbers of visitors, and ensuring longer stays.

The really exciting part of the project is that all the content, descions and management of the project has been achieved on a local level by a partnership which
includes; Watlington Parish Council, local businesses, and local residents, all of whom have given their time freely to make this happen.

Funding for the project has been provided by the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which is part of the Rural development Programme for England, administered through Defra and now SEEDA.

The project has successfully created:
• Informational and interpretational boards at key points.
• A series of walks guides to encourage spread of visitors to surrounding villages.
• A local information point.
• A visitor-orientated website.

The project commenced in January 2006 and was completed in March 2007.

To find out more about the project click here

Chiltern Gateway project

The project aims to support the life of the village of Lewknor and the surrounding area of this ‘Chiltern Gateway’ created by the nearby M40. The vision is to encourage and support visitors, local business, the church and schools, whilst protecting and enjoying the natural environment.
The church has a central role to play, through the centre at St. Margaret’s, and through local project management. ‘A Rocha’, www.arocha.org, a national and international charity who is providing overall management.

The Project hopes to build links with neighbouring towns and villages like Watlington, to share our experiences of building community and local economy and our appreciation of this beautiful area.

To find out more about the project click here

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