Above: The app is free to download – simply search your app store for Errwood Hall.

I’ve now managed to get the new Errwood Hall augmented reality app to work on my old iPhone 8 to access the 3D plans, sound recordings and fact files. But it unfortunately still seizes when trying to view one of the most impressive features – to walk in and around a virtual reality reconstruction of the building.

I had a demo at the launch last week (see previous post), and was really looking forward to trying it out. I’m sure it works fine on more recent phones than mine, so I’m hoping the developers – Bloc Digital – will be able to iron out these early glitches.

Above: The app should allow you to view the hall on any surface in your home and explore it from all angles simply by walking around it.

It’s easy to download the app – simply search Google Play or the App Store for Errwood Hall – and is completely free. And unlike many other free apps, it doesn’t store any personal data. Click here for details on how it was funded.

The project is very much the brainchild of Peak District Heritage Officer, Catherine Parker Heath, with the help of a few volunteers, including myself. Some of us even got the chance to add our voices to the app. I’ve included the six audio files below. Mine is the description of Goyt’s Bridge.

A working man’s story

My favourite is the recording ‘One man’s story’, read by retired farmer, Philip Holland, who really brings to life a local man’s recollections of working for the Grimshawes in the early 1900s.

Catherine also explained: “Philip is a dedicated researcher and ‘custodian’ of the Derbyshire dialect. His daughter, Liz, was a colleague of mine and sadly died recently. The Outdoor Group made a donation in memory of Liz to support the project.”

Catherine recorded the 1895 description of the party at Errwood Hall. Robbie Carnegie is Senior Communications Officer with Moors for the Future, and an amateur actor with Buxton Drama League. He narrated the 1883 description of the hall. Chris Wilman read the poem. And Shirley Miller recorded Ann Bailey’s letter about party.

All the recordings are taken from posts previously published on this website. Simply click the links under each one to view the relevant pages.

Page update #1: 21st July 2022

Success! I’ve finally managed to get the virtual reality reconstruction of Errwood Hall to work. And it was well worth the wait.

To view the 3D model simply click the ‘Past’ button on the app and then ‘AR Mode’. Find a reasonable amount of clear floor or table space and click the screen again to confirm the position. And hey presto – the model should appear, enabling you to walk around it and view the hall from all angles.

The initial plan was to be able to go inside the building and through all the various rooms, but this proved too expensive for the available budget. Hopefully this will be possible in the next version of the app.

Page update #2: 25th July 2022

Catherine has published the story of the app from conception to completion on the South West Peak’s website. Click here to read it.

Topic tags (click for similar posts): Augmented reality app | Errwood Hall | Heritage projects | Valley folk