Discover local history and events with one easy-to-use app!
Discover Ashfield AR app
Zubr completed this project with Ashfield District Council, tasked with developing an AR app for the Discover Ashfield initiative, which aims to promote Ashfield as a great place to live, work, study and visit. The augmented reality app was designed to capture Ashfield’s local history in fun and engaging ways, including an interactive AR trail, whilst sharing and promoting sites of interest, cycle routes, as well as local news and events. Zubr fulfilled this ambitious brief, including a variety of AR experiences, including intricate tap-to-place models, historical selfie filters and interactive mini games.
Partners
Zubr partnered with Urban Scale Interventions, who handled the content management system (CMS) creation and website design, which informed our app design. This project was also made possible by the hard work of writer, copyeditor and proofreader Suruchi Sharma, who was responsible for the detailed historical descriptions found online and in app, alongside the contributions of Ashfield District Council’s dedicated team.
Follow the augmented reality trail
The Ashfield AR app brings local history to life with a variety of immersive AR experiences, forming an engaging AR trail across the district. Through interactive digital recreations, users can explore Ashfield’s past in new and exciting ways.
One of the key features of the app is the tap-to-place models, which allow users to position historical landmarks in their real-world environment. These include a steam train, representing Ashfield’s extensive railway heritage, a windmill at Lindley’s Mill, restoring a long-lost landmark, and a vintage fire engine at Engine Green, which can even be driven around using an onscreen joystick.
The app also features historical selfie filters, enabling users to step into the shoes of significant figures from Ashfield’s past. Visitors can transform into Ada Lovelace or Lord Byron, both of whom have strong connections to the area, or take on the appearance of Elizabeth Hooton, an influential Quaker who lived in Skegby.
For those looking for a challenge, the app includes interactive mini-games, such as the Larwood & Voce Cricket Challenge, where players swipe to bowl and attempt to match Harold Larwood’s legendary speed of 96mph. Meanwhile, the Hucknall Aerodrome Flying Bedstead, an early experimental aircraft that led to the Harrier Jump Jet, is brought to life; the “Bedstead” can be piloted using an onscreen joystick and sliders.
Combining gamified elements with rich historical overlays, Zubr delivered nine unique AR experiences, which transform Ashfield’s local heritage into a vibrant, interactive journey. The augmented reality offering not only invites local tourism, but encourages greater footfall around the area as users attempt to collect all nine AR experiences, resulting in an AR trail that makes local history more accessible and engaging than ever before.
Bespoke UI design
Building on the robust website design by Urban Scale Interventions, Zubr developed the Discover Ashfield AR app from the ground up, ensuring seamless alignment with the website’s visual identity and functionality, whilst integrating innovative augmented reality features. By adhering to Discover Ashfield’s brand guidelines, we created a cohesive and visually engaging application that reinforces the initiative’s identity and enhances user engagement.
To support the overall visitor experience, both the website and app function as an interactive map, showcasing key attractions alongside a news feed that provides up-to-date information on local events.
A key aspect of Zubr’s development approach was ensuring full integration with the website’s content management system (CMS), enabling automatic synchronization of website updates with the app. For example, changes to the events calendar are instantly reflected in the app and trigger real-time notifications, ensuring users stay informed. This seamless data-sharing capability can be particularly valuable in promoting local events and businesses, supporting the local economy in the wake of COVID-19’s impact on tourism and community engagement.
It's time to Discover Ashfield
The Discover Ashfield AR app demonstrates how immersive technology is transforming local engagement and tourism. By blending interactive AR experiences with a seamlessly integrated digital platform, Zubr has created an application that not only celebrates Ashfield’s rich history but also actively encourages exploration and community participation.
Through close collaboration with Ashfield District Council, and our partners Urban Scale Interventions, the project successfully delivers a visually cohesive, user-friendly, and informative experience. The nine unique AR interactions offer an engaging way for residents and visitors to connect with Ashfield’s heritage.
With its innovative approach to digital placemaking, the app serves as a model for how augmented reality can be used to enhance tourism, education, and local pride. By making history more accessible and interactive, the Discover Ashfield AR app ensures that the stories, landmarks, and legacy of the district continue to inspire generations to come.
For another look at our 3D modelling work, read about the virtual reality experience we developed for the Afloat and Ashore project, a previous partnership with Urban Scale Interventions.
