THE National Trust is hoping to see a boost in visitor numbers this summer after the release in cinemas of the film ‘The Salt Path’.

Parts of the movie were filmed in West Somerset locations looked after by the trust, including in Bossington and Minehead.

‘The Salt Path’ tells the true story of Raynor Winn and her husband Moth who embarked on an epic 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Poole after learning Moth was terminally ill and losing their home and livelihood.

The trust cares for about 295 miles, or one-third, of the path working in partnership with the South West Coast Path Association.

The film, based on Ms Winn’s book, which has sold more than a million copies, stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs and showcases the coast path and surrounding area to a national and international audience.

Film producer Elizabeth Karlsen said: “It was a really challenging shoot because we were carrying equipment down paths, shooting in remote locations, so all those aspects presented practical challenges.”

Director Marianne Elliot said: “The weather and the majestic natural South West landscape surrounding them played a very important role in their story.

“We always wanted to have nature as a character in its own right, but it is quite difficult when that character never speaks, so we relied heavily on the visuals.”

A National Trust spokesperson said ‘screen tourism’ was a big draw for visitors with one in four people now saying television shows and films influenced their travel plans.

An average of nine shoots a month take place on trust property covering everything from period dramas to sci-fi blockbusters.

The spokesperson said filming at trust locations directly benefited places in its care as location fees went straight back into conservation work to care for the historic houses and landscapes.