5.2.4

Change in the UK's Rural Areas

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Social & Economic Change in the UK's Rural Areas

Changes in the UK's economy have changed rural areas across the UK.

Illustrative background for Cumbria, north-west EnglandIllustrative background for Cumbria, north-west England ?? "content

Cumbria, north-west England

  • Cumbria contains the Lake District and towns like Oxenholme, Keswick, and Kendal.
  • Cumbria is seeing de-population in the area. As a result, some local schools are being shut down and there are fewer shops for local people.
  • Tourism is one of the main sources of Cumbria's income and this is very seasonal (strong in the summer, quiet for the rest of the year).
  • Even in Cumbria, some areas are growing. The James Cropper paper factory and business create work for lots of people in the town of Burneside.
Illustrative background for Commuter townsIllustrative background for Commuter towns ?? "content

Commuter towns

  • The populations of some rural areas have increased because commuters want to live in a quiet area but also work close to major cities.
  • Towns in north Somerset like Nailsea are ideal for people who work in Bristol.
  • Towns like Sevenoaks are ideal for people who work in London.
  • House prices and congestion rise when commuters move into a rural town like Nailsea.
Illustrative background for Hereford, west EnglandIllustrative background for Hereford, west England ?? "content

Hereford, west England

  • Hereford is a city near the English border with Wales.
  • It is home to Bulmers, the maker of Bulmers' cider.
  • Cider farms have very seasonal work, harvesting apples at certain times of the year.
  • The population of the towns surrounding cider farms grows at harvest times.
  • Lots of people who work on the harvest are immigrants from the European Union, which the UK joined in 1973 but left in 2020.
  • The growth of one industry or one business can help to support the local area.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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