Tourism in Dunster study
Where?
This is an activity for you to lead, taking pupils out and about in Dunster, a medieval village in Exmoor National Park.
Who for?
Key stage 2 and 3 - England and Wales
Who by?
This activity is for you to lead on a day out at Dunster, using the resources below.
Activity aims:
This case study helps students investigate the question 'what impact does tourism have on a medieval village'. They will learn what attracts tourists to Dunster, what impact this has in terms of traffic and the local economy. The activity takes around 3 hours and involves students walking around in the town.
Students will learn:
- how Dunster is a 'chocolate box' medieval village that attracts many tourists
- how one of the main roads into Exmoor National Park runs through the town
- the issues created by visitors (parking, traffic jams)
- the importance of visitors to the local economy (what shops are there, what do they sell)
- to discuss how the impact of tourism on the town can be both positive and negative
- making possible suggestions to alleviate traffic problems (especially for residents)
What you will need:
- paper and pencils, clipboards
- background information about Dunster
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/guideforteachers.pdf
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/dunster
www.visitdunster.co.uk/visitdunster-Exmoor-National_Park
Activity guide:
You can download a PDF with suggestions for how to run your Dunster activity here:
Dunster National Park Centre:
You can book a room in the Exmoor National Park centre where you can discuss Dunster tourism findings and carry out role plays.
You can also arrange for a member of Exmoor National Park’s education team to discuss the issues with the children before or after the activity.
Contact:
Exmoor National Park Centre, Dunster Steep, Dunster, West Somerset, TA24 6SE
Tel. 01643 821835
Email NPCDunster@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Curriculum links (England and Wales):
Subject area(s): geography / history
ESD 2 (thinking critically) application:
- Building capacity to think critically about (and beyond) evidence, and test out sustainable development ideas.
Curriculum objectives: geography / history
- Describe, compare and contrast findings s
- Communicate findings in a variety of ways (e.g. role play)
- Identify and describe what places are like (reporting back on the surveys)
- Select and record from observation, experience, memory
