WEST Somerset’s seafaring heritage and lost legends are being brought back to life – thanks to internet technology which will connect walkers, via their phones or tablets, with the history of the local landscape.

Created by Dunster-based poet Chris Jelley, a new set of 12 ‘Storywalks’ are being launched by Somerset County Council’s rights of way team to give local people and visitors the stories behind what they are seeing as they walk through the coastal landscape.

 A council spokesman explained: “West Somerset’s coast has a history of smugglers and shipwrecks, daring sea rescues and bustling trading ports. It is sprinkled with the remains of castles and fortifications and has inspired poets and artists alike.

“It is home to cliffs and beaches famous for their rock formations and offers protected status to Somerset’s coastal wildlife and flora.”

The routes covered by Storywalks are between one and five kilometres long and include Stolford, Lilstock, St Audries, Watchet, Blue Anchor and Dunster. Six previously produced Storywalks feature Minehead.

“Storywalks are little journeys into the curious history, folklore and abundant nature along a trail,” said Chris Jelley.

He added: “Reading them aloud is a brilliant family-friendly way to discover the broad history of a location and its inhabitants.”

The latest Storywalks are written and researched by Chris with local historian Dr Helen Blackman, marine biologist Mark Ward, from Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Brilliant Coast project, and the communities along the trail.

“We hope they appeal to locals and visitors alike and provide a starting point for those wishing to explore Somerset’s diverse and beautiful coast,” said Isobel Pring, the county council’s England coast path officer.

The Storywalks use the internet and the location finder in the walker’s phone to unlock chapters in a story about the area they are walking. There’s no need to download anything – simply go to the England Coast Path Storywalks page https://englandcoastpath.storywalks.info/ or scan the QR code to find the appropriate walk.

Produced with funding from Natural England, it is hoped the walks will encourage local communities to engage with the England Coast Path and the Rights of Way team at Somerset County Council are hoping to run hosted Storywalks at local events during the summer.

For more information, email [email protected] and put ECPStorywalks in the subject of your email.

And, if you complete a Storywalk, post a picture of your walk with the hashtag #ecpstorywalks!