First prototypes of devices shown at Exeter Cathedral

Earlier this year, site managers from across South-West England came along to Exeter Cathedral to find out more about the VISTA project and try out the first versions of some of the devices. The morning saw presentations from two of our key partners, the National Trust and the South West Coast Path Association, followed by a question and answer session regarding the details of visitor experience intelligence gathering and implementing digital solutions at a variety of sites.
In the afternoon, visitors were able to try out Virtual Reality experiences of an underground mine visit (based at the National Trust East Pool site) and a “Walk of Faith” plank experience with the tower of the Cathedral as the setting.
Guests were also able to use a tablet triggered on a model of the Botallack mine landscape, showing how the area has changed over time, as well as see a recreation in colour of the Cathedral’s West Front façade and Minstrels’ Gallery.

The feedback from the visitors was very valuable: they gave vital feedback as to how the devices functioned which will help us to make improvements in the final version. Some of the most positive comments included:
”Fascinating to see the figures close-up and in the original colours” (West Front);
“Super experience. Very realistic. Scary but exciting” (Walk of Faith);
“Very realistic – great for accessibility”;
“The level of detail both in the surrounding and the sounds is incredible” (mines).

Watch this space for details of how to try out the experiences for yourself, and our plans for showing the devices during these strange times.