Kenilworth Town Council
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Kenilworth Town Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Zubr, a leading digital studio, to produce an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) reconstruction of St Mary’s Abbey. The project, entitled Kenilworth Revealed, will bring the historic remains of the Abbey in Abbey Fields to life, offering an immersive experience that will attract visitors and deepen public engagement with the town’s rich heritage.
People in Abbey Fields will be able to use their mobile devices to view an authentic reconstruction of the Abbey and its surroundings as they would have appeared in 1500. The experience will include visual representations of the Abbey itself, the canons who lived there, and the townsfolk of the period. Zubr’s expert team will employ cutting-edge AR technology, 3D modelling, and 3D capturing techniques to recreate these lost treasures, helping visitors to travel back in time and see Kenilworth through the eyes of its medieval inhabitants.
Professor Alan Chalmers, Mayor of Kenilworth and leader of the Kenilworth Revealed project, commented: “We have already started collecting a wealth of historical reference material about the Abbey, all of which will help Zubr craft a historically accurate reconstruction of the site and its surroundings. The Town Council Steering Committee includes local residents, the Kenilworth Archaeology and History Society, Warwick District Council and English Heritage.”
Councillor James Kennedy, Leader of Kenilworth Council, added: “We are excited that the project is now underway and look forward to its launch in the autumn. This initiative will encourage greater footfall to Abbey Fields and provide a fantastic opportunity for both residents and visitors to engage with Kenilworth’s history in an entirely new way.”
Amy Stewart from Zubr expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “We’re delighted to be working with Kenilworth Town Council to reconstruct St Mary’s Abbey and its surroundings as they would have appeared in the 1500s. Abbey Fields has such a rich history, but today it’s difficult to disentangle the late medieval site from the Victorian cemetery. Our AR experience will help bring these layers of history to life.”
Kenilworth Revealed promises to be a powerful cultural attraction, drawing visitors to Abbey Fields and benefiting local businesses while providing a fresh perspective on the town’s past. The project is funded from an HS2 Business & Local Economy Fund (BLEF) award and contributions from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Warwick District Council. Kenilworth Revealed is due to be made available to visitors during the Autumn of this year.
