CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards - Countryside Access Category

About the Countryside Access Award

This award celebrates projects of all sizes that make the Somerset countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.

Whether it’s a new walking route, improved signage, accessible infrastructure, or a community-led programme, we’re looking for initiatives that help more people enjoy and benefit from nearby green spaces. From small local efforts to larger-scale schemes, we welcome entries that remove barriers, reflect community needs, and create supportive countryside experiences for all.

What we’re looking for:

• Improved Local Access – Projects that enhance access to green spaces near homes – whether through new routes, safer paths, or better signage.
• Accessibility Infrastructure – Initiatives that introduce or improve infrastructure such as gates, surfaces, seating, or transport links to make the countryside easier to reach and navigate for all.
• Community Engagement – Projects that actively involve local people and reflect the needs and voices of those who benefit from improved access.
• Inclusion and Equity – Efforts that tackle barriers to access for underrepresented or marginalised groups, ensuring that everyone has the chance to connect with the countryside.
• Supportive Experiences – Programmes or partnerships that help individuals and groups – especially those with limited access – to enjoy, explore, and benefit from countryside experiences.

We welcome projects of all sizes from across the Somerset countryside that demonstrate some or all of these qualities.

Who can apply?

• Please read the category descriptions, criteria and eligibility information carefully. If you are not sure which category to enter please contact admin@cpresomerset.org.uk and we can help.
• An individual, organisation or group can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else. However, all individuals or organisations need to give permission to be nominated.
• Projects must be within the unitary authority area of Somerset (this does NOT include B&NES or North Somerset)
• The nomination must be relevant to work taken place in the last two years.
• Past projects are entitled to re-enter but entries must contain new elements on which they will be judged.
• You may enter into more than one category.

Why apply?

• Celebrate Your Impact on people, place, and planet
• Gain Recognition from peers, professionals, and the wider community
• Inspire Others with your approach to helping people get out and about
• Boost Your Profile and attract future opportunities
• Champion Rural Innovation and community empowerment

Winners will receive a plaque and will be invited to our CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards event in summer 2026.  They will also gain automatic entry into the CPRE National Centenary Awards, giving your project the recognition it deserves on a larger stage.

On the award application form you will be asked to provide:

• Details about the project and your connection to it
• Contact details
• Information about your digital presence (if applicable) including social media profiles and website address
• Project information, including a 400 word brief description
• Supporting evidence, which may include additional documents, short films or videos
• Up to five supporting photos which will be used to promote the awards as well as your entered project or person
• Details about volunteer contributions including volunteer hours and numbers, if applicable.

Ready to enter?

Online entry form for the Countryside Access award

• Complete the online entry form (opens in a new tab) and submit with supplementary information.
• Alternatively, download the CPRE Somerset Love Your Countryside Awards 2026 Entry Form   Details of where to email or post the award nomination are available on the form.
• The deadline for entries is 5pm on Thursday 30th April 2026.