Visitors and local residents can explore their local history and discover Wiltshire’s rich cultural heritage with today’s launch of a new ‘Explore Wiltshire’ app.
The new app features information about historical landmarks, cultural sites and significant events that have helped to shape Wiltshire’s landscape. The free, easy to use location-aware app, also includes historic photos, engravings and information from the archives of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
The app has initially launched featuring information and trails for Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Cricklade, Devizes, Salisbury and Warminster, plus a link to the Explore Malmesbury webpage. The new app replaces the Salisbury Trails app that launched in 2020.
Once launched, new trails and content will be added over the coming months with opportunities for town and parish councils alongside their local communities to contribute content and share their stories. It is planned that new trails covering the areas of Marlborough, Pewsey, Tisbury and Trowbridge will follow later in the year.
Phil Harding, from Wessex Archaeology and a popular member of the former Channel 4 Time Team programme, features on the app providing an introduction for each town. Phil said, “I love Wiltshire which makes me really pleased to have any opportunity to promote the county. We’re a county that has so much to see and enjoy beyond the iconic monuments in the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage site and our magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
“The incredibly varied landscape is dotted with modern vibrant market towns that contain Saxon or Medieval roots. Working to help compile this app has made me aware of how it will help show things to look out for and make any trip just that little bit more enjoyable.”
The app has been created by Wiltshire Council in collaboration with town and parish councils and Bristol-based app developer Calvium, on the Place Experience Platform which supports the local and visitor economy.
Explore Wiltshire is available free for download to Apple and Android devices by searching ‘Explore Wiltshire’ on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/pt/app/explore-wiltshire/id1664891446?l=en and Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calvium.pep.visitwiltshire.
More information about the Wiltshire Towns Programme can be found at: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/wiltshire-council-to-continue-successful-grants-programme-to-boost-high-streets.