Shapwick Heath, Somerset

Natural England wanted to continue its work to make its sites in Somerset more accessible for everyone.

A2 tactile panels with Braille and lettering were commissioned together with audio information and copper tiles made by local school children in a workshop with coppersmith, Richard Taylor. All this information was designed to illustrate the many birds, wild flowers and insects that are found around the reedbeds at Shapwick Heath.

The four A2 tactile panels, erected in May 2008, are made in etched zinc with a full colour illustations. They are very resistant to damage and weather. The panels were designed by Matthew Lloyd of Think Graphic of Ludlow and produced by Photocast Products of Liverpool. Chatterboxes were used for the audio, which includes the sound of the frogs and birds that are in the reed beds.

Braille titles, information and the name of each illustration on the panel have also been incorporated to make it accessible by people who are visually impaired.

The picture shows one of the panels designed for Shapwick Heath with text, Braille, a water rail, bittern and yellow irises.

Panel for Shapwick Heath

To view a larger image and a more
detailed caption of the photograph,
click on this D or on the picture itself.

The picture shows an insect with four wings and a long tail made on a copper tile by one of the children at the school in Somerset.

Insect made on copper sheet

To view a larger image and a more
detailed caption of the photograph,
click on this D or on the picture itself.

Click here for MORE PROJECTS >>>