About Us
Somer Valley Rediscovered
The Somer Valley lies to the south of Bath and is within Bath & North East Somerset. It encompasses the Cam and Wellow river catchments and is characterised by steep valleys, farmland, and hedgerows. It includes the main settlements of Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Westfield, the villages of Paulton and Peasedown St John, and a number of smaller villages. The area has been shaped by the former coal mining industry that includes a network of disused railway lines, some of which are now cycle-paths. The stunning landscapes, heritage interest and excellent network of footpaths and cycleways making this a wonderful place to live and visit.
Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership was established in 2023 with this vision;
Somer Valley is recognised for its biodiversity and climate resilience with a thriving community in good mental and physical health due to a strong connection to nature.
The Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership objectives are to:
- Improve access and people’s connection to nature, supporting and enabling positive local action and improving health and wellbeing
- Deliver initiatives that increase resilience to climate change, particularly within the Cam and Wellow catchment that enable communities and nature to thrive
- Restore and enhance ecological, terrestrial and aquatic ecological networks to increase biodiversity and provide social and economic benefits
- Improve land management to protect and enhance landscape character including habitats and historic features and sites
- Promote exploration of the Somer Valley by walking and cycling and as a visitor destination for its landscape and natural and historic heritage
Who We Are
Current Projects in the Somer Valley
Greenspaces
Delivering the Greenspaces project in Radstock, Westfield and Midsomer Norton.
The Active Way
We are working closely with The Active Way project.
Nextdoor Nature
We are also working closely with the Avon Wildlife Trust’s Next Door Nature project in the Somer Valley.
Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership
The Partnership exists to provide a network for partners to continue to develop and deliver a programme of projects that deliver the vision and objectives.
Membership is those who represent natural environment, and community interests in the Somer Valley. It includes those with responsibility for management, others with interest and/or delivery of land and water management, community representatives and relevant partners from the public health and associated academic/research projects.
The Partnership will:
- Provide updates on projects in the SVR Project Programme
- Align programmes and priorities
- Secure funding and deliver effective use of funding
- Share learning and good practice
- Share expertise and contacts to maintain and develop working relationships
- Maximise impact and minimise duplication
- Share evidence and undertake research
- Share reporting to demonstrate collective impact
Members:
B&NES Council – Somer Valley Rediscovered Team
B&NES Council – Public Health Team/Strategic Transport
B&NES Council – Regeneration Team
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Avon Wildlife Trust
Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership
Wessex Water
Natural England
University of Bath
Bath Spa University
Bath College
West of England Nature Partnership
Environment Agency








