Tourists come out to play as the rain stops

TOURISM chiefs say Cumbria has enjoyed a late summer visitor boom.

Hotels and guest houses have reported few vacancies with the drier weather thought to have played a major part in luring more people to the county.

But Cumbria Tourism said the county had not been too badly affected by the wet British summer - revealed yesterday as the wettest since records began - which has dogged the industry in other parts of the country.

And after a healthy summer, attractions, hotels and guest houses are looking forward to autumn with "positive" advance bookings.

A Cumbria Tourism spokeswoman said the August Bank Holiday was traditionally a busy time of year with families on holiday as the school break draws to a close and people enjoy the long weekend.

She added: "Throughout the wet weather this summer we have continued to receive healthy levels of inquiries and interest through our golakes website and accommodation booking line.

"We are fortunate that Cumbria is not a weather-dependant destination.

"The run-up to the Bank Holiday was exceptionally busy with our booking line receiving high volumes of calls and reporting that, by the end of last week, there was little availability remaining countywide.

"It is too early to give exact figures. However, early findings point to it being a busy weekend with the sunshine no doubt helping draw people to popular events such as Solfest and the Grasmere sports and show."

The so-called Potter effect following the release of the Miss Potter movie starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor is also understood to be attracting visitors to the places it was filmed.

A boost in visitors from Japan is expected when the film is released there this month. Visitor guides have already been printed in Japanese.

The spokeswoman said: "Families are just one of the many type of visitors that Cumbria appeals to and, despite the end of the school holidays, we're are looking forward to a busy autumn period."

Met Office experts believe this summer is likely to be the wettest since records began in 1914 - in stark contrast to the hot conditions seen last year.Provisional rainfall figures up to August 28 show that 358.5mm of rain has fallen in the UK, just above the previous record of 358.4mm in 1956. By CStory@cngroup.co.uk

Published: 3.9.2007