A brand new Plymouth Trials app, featuring self-guided walking trails throughout Plymouth is now available to download, giving visitors and locals alike the chance to explore the city through new eyes and discover more about its complex history.
The interactive app, which is free to download, includes three new tailored trails:
- Mayflower trail. Following a circular route around the Barbican, see the buildings and meet the people that shaped the city in 1620 when the Mayflower ship and its passengers set sail for America.
- City Centre trail. Discover a different side to the imposing post-war architecture in the city centre and learn more about how the city was rebuilt following the Blitz during World War Two.
- Plymouth Hoe trail. Enjoy a walk along the coast and delve into Plymouth’s maritime history, taking in key landmarks such as Tinside Lido and Smeaton’s Tower.
Using new technologies, the app allows users to overlay video and images onto the landscape in front of them to experience a ‘then and now’ snapshot of the city. The three core trails are available in French, Spanish and German in addition to English, and will shortly have an accompanying audio version.Children’s activity guides are available to keep younger visitors engaged, and from September school activity packs will also be available for teachers to use with groups of children.
The Mayflower Trail, created as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations which will now continue into 2021, also has a physical presence in the form of bronze monoliths along the route to help guide visitors and provide more information.
Amanda Lumley, Executive Director of Destination Plymouth said, “The team have done a great job of pulling together the historic content from across key city partners in order to make the trails a reality. It has been a complex project over the past two years and we are really proud of the trail and the app. As we start to move out of the lockdown, the trails offer the perfect opportunity to get out, try something new and enjoy some fresh air with the family.”
Work is ongoing to make sure that the trails are accessible for everyone, with the help of Plymouth Area Disability Action Network. A number of improvements have already been made, including adding dropped kerbs, seating and better facilities along the routes.
The app also hosts partner trails that are free for people to follow. These include the American Tree Trail from Plymouth Tree Partnership which runs from Drake’s reservoir through the city centre to the Barbican, stopping at trees and sites with an American association. App users can also follow the Sutton Harbour Heritage Trail, a loop around the historic Harbourside area, or the Waterfront Walkway, Plymouth’s section of the South West Coast Path that will take users on a nine-mile walk from the Cremyll Ferry to Jennycliff. Further trails will be added to the app in the future.
The app can be downloaded on Android or iOS. For more information go to visitplymouth.co.uk.
