Discover Derbyshire with New Free App
A new free app has been launched to reveal local stories and hidden secrets from across Derbyshire.
Designed to boost tourism locally, the app, named ‘Discover Derbyshire & Peak District,’ is now ready to download after more than 10 years of research and design by Derbyshire-based company Audio Trails Ltd.
It allows visitors to discover 200 ‘hidden gems’ around the county and uses satellite location technology to display places of interest close to where they are standing.
People can unlock hidden walking trails and listen to local residents’ personal stories that bring the past to life. Using archive photography, the app also allows users to fade old images into their device’s camera view and see how today’s scene has changed compared with the past.
Ann Wright, Head of Arts at Derbyshire County Council said:-
“We want people to discover things they may not know about Derbyshire, such as which local suburb was built by Russian wrestlers, or which town liquorice allsorts were invented in and this app will help them do that.
“It emphasises our county’s attractions in an innovative way which is easy for people to use while out and about using their own phone or tablet.”
Audio Trails Creative Director Dan Boys said:
“We’re really pleased to be part of a project like this that combines history with personal accounts and pictures.
“It’s great working in partnership with the council and staff such as countryside rangers who have shared their in-depth knowledge about places such as Linacre Reservoirs and the former industries along Five Pits Trail.
“The idea of the app is to bring personal stories, archive photography and lesser-known historical information together in one easily accessible package so that people can really discover Derbyshire for themselves.”
Dan is currently in the process of adding information to the app about the Pennine Way to celebrate the famous trail’s 50th anniversary. It was the UK’s first long-distance trail and stretches 256 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders.
More locations, trails and stories will be added to the app throughout 2015 and people are encouraged to share their stories or old photographs.
The ‘Discover Derbyshire & Peak District’ app is currently available to download for iOS devices via the AppStore with plans for an Android version to follow later this year. No mobile reception is needed to use it − once downloaded, all content is stored and can be accessed anywhere.
Find more information at www.discover-derbyshire.com.
