Martin Somerville launched North Country Web in 2000 after the positive response to a pilot web created in his spare time between assignments in engineering.

Enquiries from around the world continued along with traffic to the core site, under which he slowly added other local sites until the North of England and it's five National Parks were covered

The concept was modified on a few occassions from it's original Outdoor Activity format as a Tourist Information portal.

During 2002 traffic increased seven fold along with General Enquiries for Accommodation which instigated the addition of a button to facilitate such enquiries, two were received on the first day and the buttons were incorporated in on all sites.

Researched content is now being added during the pre Christmas lull in activity with visitors having increased by 20% during 2003 to approximately 1,000 per day.

The Outdoor Activity Web from where we started has not been forgotten, with the development of Northern Walker due for launch during 2004.

Similar in style to North Country Web but aimed at assisting walking visitors to the Moors, Dale & Fells of Northern Britain.

The Somerville's were Ramblers and Campers from an early age, when sleeping bags were two blankets pinned together in the 50's to ex army equipment in the 60's, following the men up hills and down dales in all weathers.

Martin then served a Design Office Apprenticeship in the Tyneside Shipyards during which an interest in Motorcycles developed before he moved to the Canadian Shipyards.

Returning to the UK with a family in the 80's martin still had two passions which he yearned to continue, the Outdoors and Motorcycling.

The later has only just returned to the forefront with a Honda CX 500 to continue Walking and Camping during the completion of North Country Web.

After 30 years working Freelance in the Marine & Offshore Industry around the World and taking holidays erratically when possible, Martin decided on a career change with North Country Web as a route to learning more about the North of England and passing it on to others while approaching a relaxed retirement.

Although never without a camera along the way, Martin has failed to be anything other than lucky with photography. Wherever possible he has used his own images on his web sites, but alas bows to the perfection that Professional Photographers offer.