WALKERS can immerse themselves in poetry and experience their favourite rural landscapes in a whole new way, thanks to the launch of two apps.

The South Dorset Ridgeway has launched two poetry parks – one at Eggardon Hillfort and one at Maiden Castle – in partnership with soundscape specialists Satsymph.

The apps are free to download and feature poetry written and performed by residents and schoolchildren, who explored the sites to get inspired.

It is part of the same project which brought to life the South Dorset Ridgeway, including sites around the Hardy Monument, with ‘sound-pools’ of music, natural sounds, fairy tales and local myths. The apps work via GPS, so a connection to wi-fi is not needed. It will also work if there’s no phone signal.

Composer Marc Yeats said it’s ‘fantastic’ to see the Poetry Park projects complete.

He added: “We felt it was time to take a slightly different approach in opening up the experience of creative writing to poets and writers in the community.”

Landscape poet Ralph Hoyte led workshops with adult residents while Bridport storyteller Martin Maudsley led workshops for children from St Nicholas and St Laurence School in Weymouth and the Piddle Valley School.

Senior archaeologist at Dorset County Council Steve Wallis went with the groups to the sites to introduce the stories and history of the landscape.

Mr Yeats said: “They got to ask questions, to spend time in the landscape, breathing it in, hearing about it and writing about it.”

Maiden Castle was chosen because it is well-known, and close to Dorchester, while Eggardon Hillfort was chosen as a contrast, because it is remote and not so well-known. Both sites are easily accessible.

But there was another reason, Mr Yeats added.

“These sites are part of our heritage, there’s history, archaeology and all these stories hidden under layer upon layer of soil.”

Mr Yeats said the poems are spread out throughout the sites, and visitors must wander around to find them all.

“We wanted to make it a bit of an adventure. Even I’ve not found them all yet.”

The project was funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and, with the completion of the Poetry Parks, the scheme has come to an end after four years. But Mr Yeats said there is ‘potential’ to do more work along the same lines in Dorset, although he stressed that nothing concrete is in the pipeline.

He thanked everyone who contributed to the soundscape app project, including Bridport-based Diva Contemporary and all the schools, residents and artists who have been involved.

“That personal interaction with people has been very rewarding. Without them we would not have the content. All that is left to say now is that I hope people go out and experience this.”

Visit satsymph.co.uk/projects-and-events/interpretation/southdorsetridgeway to download the apps.