Experiencing a historic garden online: impact of an inclusive digital multisensory audio descriptive tour

Bywood, L., Hutchinson, R. and Eardley, A. 2025. Experiencing a historic garden online: impact of an inclusive digital multisensory audio descriptive tour. Museum Management and Curatorship. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2025.2562853

TitleExperiencing a historic garden online: impact of an inclusive digital multisensory audio descriptive tour
TypeJournal article
AuthorsBywood, L., Hutchinson, R. and Eardley, A.
Abstract

Historic gardens can promote social inclusion and engender a sense of wellbeing. Since the pandemic, many cultural institutions have sought to enhance their online provision. However, content inevitably assume sight. An inclusive audio descriptive online tour of the Chelsea Physic Garden was created for people who were blind and partially blind (BPB) and sighted. Sixty-two participants completed an evaluation questionnaire directly after experiencing the online tour, and then again 2 weeks later. Quantitative and qualitative analysis showed similarly positive responses for enjoyment and emotion. Although BPB participants reported higher levels of interest and follow-up engagement after the tour, the desire to engage with nature as a result of the tour was strong in both groups. The findings indicate that inclusive online museum or heritage tour can create positive and impactful experiences for all audiences, whilst providing the opportunity to reach those who may not be able to attend a venue in-person.

KeywordsBlindness and visual impairment
cultural heritage
digital museum
visitor studies
access
accessible filmmaking
JournalMuseum Management and Curatorship
ISSN0964-7775
1872-9185
Year2025
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Accepted author manuscript
Publisher's version
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2025.2562853
Publication dates
Published online26 Sep 2025

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