A VISITING Japanese professor found out first hand about the delights of walking in West Somerset when she toured several towns for research she is doing to help boost the activity in her own country.

Yuko Shioji, a professor of anthropology and international tourism at Hannan University in Osaka, Japan, visited with her daughter Yoko, seven, and spoke to various organisations and individuals to find out about walking and the English footpath system.

The visitors went to Wiveliscombe, Dunster, Lynton and Lynmouth, all part of the national Walkers are Welcome (WAW) organisation which has over 100 accredited members.

WAW assures visitors of good quality walking – including open footpaths, printed or digital walks information, accommodation and more.

The Japanese visitors also visited Nether Stowey, which is hoping to soon be accredited as a WAW town.

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