New devices provide virtual tour for heritage site

Tablets at La Hougue Bie will allow immersive virtual tours

Two tablet devices have been donated to a heritage site in Jersey in an aim to make it more accessible.

The tablets are available at La Hougue Bie which has a Neolithic passage grave and is one of the ten oldest buildings in the world.

The devices would allow immersive virtual tours for adults and children and was donated by telecommunications company JT.

Jon Brennan, head of education at Jersey Heritage, said: "The entrance to the ancient passage grave is a low, dark stone structure, which can present either physical, emotional or psychological challenges for some children."

He added: "For members of the community, it means they can experience everything that La Hougue Bie has to offer, even if they haven't physically entered the passage grave."

'Open doors'

JT said around 40 school groups, including primary and secondary schools, visited the site annually.

It added on average there were two students in each class who struggled with physical or mental health issues and were unable to enter the passage.

It said this affected their educational experience of the heritage site and the tablets would ensure equal access to the learning experience.

Pip Carpenter, head of consumer markets and community partnerships at JT, said: "It's always inspiring to see how digital technology can open doors."