New virtual tour takes the historic Royal Victoria Country Park Chapel global

The historic chapel of the famous Royal Victoria Hospital, at Hampshire County Council’s Royal Victoria Country Park, can now be experienced by a worldwide audience thanks to the launch of a new virtual tour.

The County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “Our conservation and renovation of the Royal Victoria Chapel, with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has enabled thousands of visitors to access this unique, historic site on the Solent.

“The new virtual tour – the first of its kind at our country parks – means that even those who cannot climb the steps of the tower can still enjoy the view through a Virtual Reality headset, and soak up the stories the chapel holds as the last remaining part of what was once the world’s largest military hospital.

“The introduction of the tour to an online audience also means that people from anywhere in the world can look around the building in 360 degrees, feeling as if they are actually there.”

The virtual tour, which has been created by 360ify, will enable people to explore aspects from many fascinating viewpoints such as the stunning stained glass windows, sunny views of the Solent from the 1st and 2nd floors, and climbing the 109 steps of the 150 foot high bell tower.

The tour will be hosted online as well as through two Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, which will be available to use for free within the grade II listed chapel.

Councillor Woodward added: “The virtual tour is a fantastic way for us to enhance the visitor experience in an immersive way, ensuring this piece of Hampshire’s history is not forgotten, and importantly opening up access to the chapel on a global scale.”

For those wanting to use the VR headsets at the Chapel, please request to do so at reception. People will be supervised whilst they use the headsets.

Explore more about Royal Victoria Country Park.

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