Increasing The Accessibility of Battlefield Heritage: Considering Whether Battlefield Interpretation Would Be Improved Through the Use of Mobile Applications

England’s battlefields are sites of both local and national importance, serving as valuable sources for researchers and as places of tourism for communities. The influx in technological advancements in all walks of life provides the opportunity to enhance interpretation and provide a more accessible means of understanding the location’s heritage.

Using the battle of Towton 1461 as a case study, this project investigates the present state of battlefield interpretation and considers how it can be developed. As generations expecting the frequent use of technology become potential visitors of sites, the need to encourage this new interest is vital in preserving battlefields and their history.

Several surveys and interviews were conducted to determine the opinions of professionals and potential visitors alike. Their responses showed that whilst those with close links to the site, such as the Towton Battlefield Society, felt the location was a well presented, well visited local attraction, a more general survey of opinions suggested technology could enhance a site and encourage more interest in the topic. Indeed, interviews with several industry professionals also showed the potential for the increasing use of technology. A review of current Towton battlefield interpretation and existing heritage applications contributed to the knowledge of technological interpretation and how it could successfully work alongside the more traditional forms.

In response to these findings, the final section of this study is the creation of a concept battlefield trail application, with suggestions for how it could encourage closer links between visitors, battlefield site contributors and the battlefield itself. Further research should be undertaken to create the application and determine how successful it could be. This project could eventually provide a framework for further battlefield applications and more advanced battlefield interpretation.