Bringing stories to life in AR

The challenge

Wymondham is a market town rich in heritage, with stories stretching back centuries. South Norfolk Council wanted to encourage visitors to explore the area while discovering its history and supporting local businesses. The brief was to create an engaging digital experience that would appeal to adults and families alike. Alongside the historical A Walk Through Time trail, which revealed key moments from the town’s past, a second trail was designed to engage children. Inspired by the GoGo Hare sculpture positioned in Wymondham, the Henry the Hare trail would allow families to bring the sculpture to life and set off on a quest to find Henry’s lost belongings.

The process

We designed and built an AR app, featuring two distinct GPS-enabled trails. A Walk Through Time guided users through Wymondham’s history with AR experiences, 360º animations and video stories recreating scenes such as the medieval marketplace, Robert Kett’s rebellion and a Victorian double murder.

The Henry the Hare trail began and ended at the GoGo Hare sculpture in the town centre, where families could bring Henry to life before following clues to find his missing items. Using motion-capture performances, photogrammetry of historical artefacts and a friendly animated character, the app delivered a rich, multi-layered experience for visitors of all ages.

The outcome

Launched in summer 2018, the Wymondham AR Trails app offered visitors a new way to explore the town and its stories. By merging storytelling, animation and interactivity, it transformed local history and culture into an immersive experience for adults and families alike. Alongside the trails, the app included a directory of local businesses, places to eat, stay and shop – helping to drive engagement with the wider area. It also directed visitors to a VR retelling of Kett's Rebellion at the local museum. Though no longer live, the project highlighted the potential of AR to engage visitors and share historic stories in new ways.

Are you looking to use AR to reimagine heritage trails and bring local history to life? Get in touch.

Case study completed during our time as MD, TD, OD and CD of Infinite Form / We Are Immersive Ltd.