Antarctica Lands in the UK

In April and May, New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust and the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust came together to bring two immersive virtual reality experiences to audiences across the UK.

The two experiences featured were Scott’s Discovery Hut, created by the Trust, and A Frozen Night, created by UKAHT. Antarctic history from the heroic era through to the scientific age came to life as participants stepped back in time, walked through historic huts, rode in a hydrogen balloon, met early explorers and scientists, and heard incredible stories of resilience, teamwork, and innovation on the Ice.

We were delighted to co-host UKAHT Patron HRH The Princess Royal and local school children at a special event which celebrated both organisations leadership in using immersive digital technology to educate, inspire, and transform the way future generations learn about Antarctica’s rich cultural heritage.

HRH The Princess Royal has supported the Trust over many years since officially launching our Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project at Scott’s Discovery hut in 2002. It was wonderful to update HRH on the significant work we have undertaken, and continue to do, to conserve the expedition bases of Antarctica’s early explorers.

“The conservation works our teams undertake is world-leading, and sharing it through VR helps us to educate people around the importance of saving this cultural heritage for future generations,” said Trust Executive Director Francesca Eathorne.

The tour also visited schools, museums, and Antarctic organisations including the Scott Polar Research Institute and the National Maritime Museum. At Discovery Point Museum, home to the RRS Discovery visitors had a very special opportunity to tour Scott’s Discovery ship, then virtually visit Discovery hut.

The Trust thanks our tour supporters that include donors to the Inspiring Explorers™ Fund, event host Gilbert White’s House & Gardens, and our special friends and partners UKAHT with whom we share a long history of partnership.