Trace footsteps of two natural history pioneers with new audio tours
Audio tours have been launched to allow members of the public to walk in the footsteps of pioneers of natural history.
South Downs National Trust has added two new trails to its In Their Footsteps series.
Now people will be able to walk in the footsteps of naturalist, ecologist and ornithologist Gilbert White and artist Ivon Hitchens.
The Gilbert White walk includes a 3.5-mile loop around his house in Selborne and the countryside he walked. Observations of the natural world on White’s doorstep led to The Natural History of Selborne in 1789.
People will also be able to follow in the footsteps of artist Ivon Hitchens on a 5.5-mile walk starting and ending at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester.
The two new tours follow the trails launched last year in East Sussex, which included Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft and Charleston Farmhouse.
Anooshka Rawden, who leads cultural heritage for the South Downs National Park, said: “It’s really exciting to be launching these two new audio trails, which are designed to bring together culture, heritage and walking and bring new perspectives on the South Downs landscape through the eyes of writers, artists, makers and thinkers.
“Gilbert White is regarded by many as the first ecologist and it was the way he observed nature that was so extraordinary and revolutionary, recording plants, insects and animal behaviour in intricate detail.
“Fast forward 150 years and Ivon Hitchens developed his own connection with nature that was brought vividly to life in amazingly innovative paintings. After his London studio was bombed in 1940, his family settled near Petworth and his journeys across Didling, Iping Common, Heyshott, Cocking and Duncton inspired many of his colourful and emotive works.
“These free tours are a really different way of exploring the national park this spring and summer and I hope people enjoy being inspired by the stunning landscape and the stories of the people so inspired by it.”
Each tour includes photos and archive images, as well as content that can be displayed in 19 different languages, all to help bring the story to life.
The app can be downloaded the app for free on Android or Apple by searching for In Their Footsteps.