MOST visitors associate the Cotswolds with rolling green hills and famously pretty honey-coloured limestone villages but now Cotswold Tourism is showing us that the area really is more than just the view.

Cotswolds Tourism Partnership and Cotswolds Conservation board celebrated English Tourism Week by launching the official Cotswolds destination phone app and photography competition on Wednesday, March 18.

With farmers’ markets, gardens, galleries, live music, antiques, water sports and locally produced food there is lots for locals and visitors to enjoy all over the Cotswolds and the free app can help with finding the best activities for the users.

The app showcases what’s on, places to eat, pubs and inns, shopping locations, accommodation, tourist information and even places to park.

A special itinerary tab allows users to click a heart icon on different hotels and restaurants which places them on a personal saved list for the downloader’s to revisit.

Rococo Garden in Painswick features on the app and Rococo’s chief executive Paul Moir believes that mobile is the way forward.

“The tourism app is a great way for people visiting the Cotswolds to plan their trip before arriving but still be able to find more information while here with everything you need to know on your smartphone,” said Mr Moir.

Peter Bairsto, co-owner of Jester Antiques in Tetbury whose shop specifically restores and sells antique clocks, also features on the app.

He said: “We have a website which is another shop window for customers and browsers but having our shop on the app will encourage more foot fall, which is something I think all independent high street shops need.

“Many people visit the Cotswolds specifically for antiques so it will help those people find where they can visit more easily and it’s a great step forward for high street stores.”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cotswolds AONB next year a photography competition has been launched by Cotswolds Tourism Partnership and Cotswolds Conservation Board.

People are being encouraged to send in their photos capturing the essence of the Cotswolds.

Photographs can be sent to cotswoldstourism@cotswold.gov.uk and the deadline for submissions is the end of November. Prizes will include offers from Clifton Cameras in Dursley and a day out with professional photographer, Nick Turner.