Bumper crop of grockles

Tourism experts are predicting a record-breaking year for countryside holidays in the south-west of England, after the region”s rural tourism organisation, Cartwheel, reported a massive increase in web activity.

The number of daily users has increased by 50% since December, with searches for working farm accommodation almost tripling in February. “We”re in for a bumper year if interest converts into bookings,” says Gina Woodcraft, chief executive of Cartwheel. “Visitors are looking for the best experiences of the West Country, and rural tourism is delivering these by the bucketload,” says Gina (pictured).