LOCAL businesses have collaborated to celebrate the local area and promote tourism ahead of a busy summer.

The National Park Experience open day at the Falconry Days bird of prey centre, Simonburn, last Wednesday allowed visitors to gain a hands-on experience of local tourism services.

Mark French, from Falconry Days, said: “I thought it would be a great idea to get together and celebrate the community feel of everyone in the local area. By getting together like this, especially now that we’re getting closer to summer, we can help create a better all-round experience for visitors.”

Alongside the Falconry Days team were representatives from Ancient Britain tours, Northumberland National Park Authority the Barrasford Arms and Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory.

Kevin Robson from Ancient Britain, who hosts tours that explore the hidden gems and iconic sites of Northern England, said: “We’re able to provide insightful tours for visitors looking to get off the beaten track, and to explore the history and culture of the area.”

And at Wednesday’s event, he brought to life the bespoke ‘Live Like A Roman’ tour with an array of ancient Roman cuisine.

Promoting tourism development, Duncan Wise, from Northumberland national park, said a recently launched E-bike tour of Hadrian’s Wall provided a tourist experience with a twist.

“This will inspire people to travel to Northumberland have a unique collaborative experience of the local businesses and services,” he said.