Category: Tales and musings
Best walking apps 2018
Looking for iOS and Android apps that will get you walking and exploring new places? Try out these five fabulous free apps:
1) This is Gower
Gower is the beautiful peninsula near Swansea in south Wales, and Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The app features 17 easy-to-follow trails varying in length and theme – from a quick visit to the remains of WW2 defences on Mumbles Hill, to a wild ramble out to Whiteford National Nature Reserve.
More info and download.
2) Discover Derbyshire & Peak District
The Peak District was the UK’s first National Park and its paths are some of the most walked across Britain. The 24 walks within this app aren’t the usual run of the mill honey pot trails. Use this app to discover hidden gems across the region.
More info and download.
3) Heart of Teesdale
What inspired local artists, such as Turner … Read More »
Can some visitors be beyond interpretation?
This month I decided to re-read Freeman Tilden’s seminal work “Interpreting Our Heritage”. All these years later it still underpins how we approach heritage interpretation. Yet, something occurred to me whilst I was reading the book, and it relates to audiences; more specifically those who come to a heritage site or museum to build on their extensive knowledge.
As interpreters we are encouraged to think of our target audiences as ‘window shoppers’ who are receptive to ‘learning’ if it captures their imagination. Tilden himself states, “To capitalise on this mood, even if it arises from pure curiosity of whim, is a challenge to the interpreter.” He adds, “The visitor is unlikely to respond unless what you have to tell, or show, touched his personal experience, thoughts, hopes, way of life, social position, or whatever else.”
This second quote suggests interpretation can appeal … Read More »
Native of web app?
Audio Trails boast a rich back catalogue of location-aware native apps for heritage sites and tourist attractions. They have now launched a web equivalent. Creative Director Dan Boys explains the pros and cons of both approaches.
When it comes to software, location-aware apps are what we (Audio Trails) specialise in. For us, a location-aware app uses location (via a potential combination of GPS, mobile connectivity, wifi and/or bluetooth beacons) to automatically alert the user to relevant digital content (text, images, audio, video) within the proximity of a device. It will also tell you how far away you are from other content. This content may refer to a place of interest, an event or a walking trail.
For many years we have been building native apps – designed specifically for iOS and Android devices – on behalf of local authorities, charities and communities. … Read More »
Beautifully chaotic oral history interview with Amanda Owen
During the course of my work I get to interview some wonderful people and get an intimate but short-lived window into their lives. My beautifully chaotic interview with the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’, Amanda Owen, has to rank as one of my favourites.
Driving to the Yorkshire Dales on a crisp early autumn morning brought back lovely memories of my time working on a moorland restoration project in the early 2000s. The uplands have a unique smell – a mix of fresh air, vegetation and peat – and my destination today was in the heart of the Upper Swaledale.
Amanda Owen, watched by millions on ITV’s The Dales, met me at the door with babe on hip and two young smiling toddlers in tow. She and her young family live a life that has almost gone in today’s modern world, a life ruled by her … Read More »
Ingleborough Archaeological app
A location aware app with free Ordnance Survey mapping to help you discover the archaeology of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales.
Ingleborough Archaeology Group (IAG) is based in Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales of England. Its focus is on the Ingleborough massif and the surrounding valleys of Kingsdale, Chapel le Dale and Ribblesdale.
The Group exists to further research and understanding of the historic heritage of its core area by archival research and archaeological investigation. It has been involved in a broad range of excavations.
Audio Trails were approached to create an app to showcase some of the groups finds along three archaeology walks in the National Nature Reserve on Ingleborough, North Yorkshire, England. The three walks are all approximately 5 miles long. Two depart from Ribbleside (one heading to Selside and the other to Great Douk and Southescales), whilst the third takes in South House, Sulber and … Read More »
