Somerset is a special place, with a history that is older than that of England itself. Its landscapes are diverse and beautiful and include the rich farmlands in the south of the county, the levels and moors of central Somerset, the Mendip Hills in the north and the Blackdowns, the Quantocks and Exmoor further south and west. The importance of many of these landscapes is recognised by special designations and conserving the county's rich natural environment is a key concern for Somerset people.
The heritage of the county is rightly recognised as outstanding. It includes the major Iron Age sites at Ham Hill and South Cadbury (reputedly King Arthur's Camelot), great houses such as Montacute and Dunster, church towers which are among the masterpieces of medieval art and over 11,500 listed buildings. Little wonder that Somerset is such a popular place for living and working and that it inspires such strong loyalties in so many people.
Somerset has ancient roots. Anglo-Saxon settlers gave it a name well over a thousand years ago and Alfred the Great, from a base in Athelney, defended his kingdom from invading armies in the late 9th century. Since that time the county has often played its part in national history, not least when Somerset's people with characteristic independence of spirit, defied King James during the Monmouth Rebellion and suffered the terrible consequences.
Somerset's market towns and villages share the county's long history and are, as always, proudly individual. The county is made up of this patchwork of distinctive communities which has fostered a strong sense of local leadership and resilience to meet challenges ahead.
Somerset's long history continues to shape the county today as it faces the challenges of the 21st century and seeks new opportunities. It is now home to 528,800 people, 31% of whom live in market towns and larger villages. Many are from long-established Somerset families. Others have retired here or are among the small but increasing number from European Union countries, Bangladesh, China, India and Africa.
The population grows significantly at holiday times and every year visitors stay 11 million nights in Somerset. In a county so long dependent on farming, there are other activities such as tourism that are now more important to the local economy than agriculture, horticulture and forestry. There are also thousands of small businesses as well as major players such as AugustaWestland, Clarks International, IBM and Aggregate Industries UK.
As at so many times in its history, Somerset is at a turning point of change and faces complex social, economic and environmental challenges. Cherishing our inheritance from the past and looking to the future, this Strategy sets out a framework for meeting those challenges and for creating a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Somerset for this generation and the next.
To find more interesting facts about our county, go to Somerset Facts
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