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Virtual reality makes Cornwall’s mining heritage accessible to all

Virtual reality makes Cornwall’s mining heritage accessible to all

Virtual reality makes Cornwall’s mining heritage accessible to all
A pioneering 360° virtual reality tour will make Cornwall’s mining heritage accessible to all, thanks to an award-winning National Lottery project.

Heritage Ability is working with heritage sites across the South West making them more accessible for people of all abilities. The virtual reality tour of Geevor Tin Mine was created after it was voted Best Heritage Project 2018 at the annual National Lottery Awards.

“This doesn’t just relate to people with physical disabilities but also to those with anxiety, mental health and learning disabilities, or simple geographical limitations."

 

Maryann Soper, Project Manager at Heritage Ability

Cutting-edge technology

Heritage Ability has been working closely with Soundview Media to create a 360° journey through the 18th-century tunnels and the mills, as well as amazing aerial views of the cliff-top site. Importantly, the experience is accompanied by a tour guide voice-over and optional subtitles to replicate the journey for those who cannot make it themselves.

Filming VR
Creating a 360° journey through the 18th-century tunnels and the mills. Credit: Soundview Media

 

After the closure of Geevor Tin Mine in 1990, the site has been operating as a museum and education centre for Cornish mining.

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its extreme environment is an integral part of its character and its mining story. Its harsh slopes, steps and tight underground tunnels cannot be physically altered to make it more accessible, so the VR tour will allow many more people to experience it while the site is preserved in its original form.

Heritage for all

Heritage Ability is currently working with 19 other heritage sites across the South West to make heritage accessible for everyone.

Maryann Soper, Project Manager at Heritage Ability, said: “This doesn’t just relate to people with physical disabilities but also to those with anxiety, mental health and learning disabilities, or simple geographical limitations. Ultimately this is all made possible by National Lottery players.”

National Lottery Awards 2019

In celebration for the 25th Birthday of The National Lottery, the nominations for this year’s Awards have been drawn from the past quarter of a century.

The shortlist includes 11 National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported projects. Find out more and how to cast your vote by the deadline of 21 August in our news story.