A NEW map of Watchet which sets out fun things for visitors to do has been commissioned by Watchet Action Group, a partnership of organisations keen to ensure that tourists make the most of their time in the town.

The map aims to capture the spirit of Watchet and celebrate the activities there are to do around the town.

It shows where the beaches, parks and shops are and suggests ideas such as crabbing off the harbour wall, fossil hunting on Helwell beach, finding the geo-caches, visiting the outdoor gym, walking along the mineral line or taking a sea fishing trip.

The map is A3 in size and has been distributed around outlets in the town. They can be also used as place mats in cafés or kept as a memento.

The map was originally drawn free hand by artist Alison Jacobs, who then used layering software, so that additions, amendments and changes can easily be made, allowing for visitor attraction changes and developments around the town.

There are also future plans to develop the map so that it becomes interactive for use online.

The map lays out four themes for activities and experiences ­ family fun, geology and coast, heritage, and art and culture - making it easy to identify a particular area of interest.

“Watchet has such a wealth of nationally important cultural and geological heritage that needs to be celebrated, but it is also a really great fun place for the whole family to visit,” said Rachel Kelly of the Onion Collective, one of the action group’s partner organisations.

“We wanted to create a fun, unique, ideas-packed map that shows how visitors could happily spend many days here.

“All the best holidays and day trips are about creating wonderful memories, and there are so many things to do in Watchet that don’t break the bank, like fossil hunting or playing on the rockpools or walking the glorious stretches of deserted beaches.

“Watchet is such a special place, and we want the map to inspire people to take the time to discover all these things for themselves.”

The project was developed by Onion Collective, who worked with Alison Jacobs to design the map, and West Somerset Council provided funding for the project through funds set aside to help tourism and mitigate the impact on the town while roadworks continue at Washford Cross.