Should the Somerset Levels be the UK’s next National Landscape?

A well known Somerset Councillor has said he is “completely at a loss” as to why the Somerset Levels is not designated as a national landscape.  And we couldn’t agree more!

Councillor Henry Hobhouse made his remarks at a Somerset Council committee meeting in April, according to Frome Nub News. He argued that achieving National Landscape status would protect the Levels’ historic character and enhance the natural environment.

We agree wholeheartedly and we believe that the Somerset Levels would rank comfortably alongside the existing 46 national landscapes. Here in Somerset, we are lucky to have 4 of those:  the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills and a tiny bit of Cranborne Chase.  Somerset also includes part of Exmoor National Park.

We believe the Somerset Levels are eligible due to their:

• landscape of unique beauty with its wide expanses of grasslands, wetlands, and areas of peatland which provide a critical service for carbon capture.
• special natural history, and a unique historical and cultural landscape with Glastonbury Tor at its heart, the ancient Sweet Track, a unique remnant of the neolithic past.
• nature conservation importance. The new Somerset Wetlands Super National Nature Reserve is already working to join up efforts across the levels, to protect and restore its special wildlife and ecosystems.

Achieving national protection for the Somerset Levels landscape would be amazing. It would generate positive spin-offs for nature, climate, heritage, and livelihoods. It would bring joy and support to our communities, and our visitors.

In fact, we could go further! in our opinion, the Somerset Levels could be a serious contender to become the new English National Park.

We would love to know what you think.  Drop us a line at admin@cpresomerset.org.uk