Gunpowder Trail

See how parts of the Gunpowder Works once looked with Augmented Reality, hear what it was like to work there, how it has been conserved, even fire your own virtual cannon

Discover the dangerous world of gunpowder production as you explore the remains of the Gunpowder Works along the Mellte valley with this bilingual GPS based augmented reality (AR) app.

See how parts of the factory once looked with AR; listen to the stories of the people that worked there, discover more about the many varied species that have made this beautiful valley their home and hear from the conservation team who have saved it for future generations to explore. Use the 3D GPS trail map to guide you along the valley. As you visit each danger building, you’ll collect gunpowder tokens; Collect them all and you can try loading and firing your own virtual gunpowder proofing cannon, then find out where your gunpowder might have been used.

How to use the app

Use the 3D GPS map to guide you along the valley. As you reach a point of interest you will be alerted to explore more.

Some points offer an AR view. Follow the instructions in the app to scan the image on the lectern and see what appears.

Some points tell you about the nature of the valley, a site of Special Scientific Interest, and what species you might see as you walk the trail.

Gunpowder points tell you about the Works themselves, what it was like to work here and how the site has been conserved. Many of the buildings were danger buildings; when you reach those you’ll collect virtual gunpowder tokens. When you have collected them all, you can play the cannon firing game; load the gunpowder, ball and charge and see how far your ball travels along the testing range to discover what grade of powder you have made and where it might have ended up.