Features Guide
Install the App on Your Phone
No app store needed — scan the QR code on the home page or visit southamptonwalkingtour.com on your phone, then add it to your home screen. Steps vary by browser:
- iPhone · Safari: tap the Share button (the box with an arrow at the bottom of the screen), then tap "Add to Home Screen," then tap "Add"
- iPhone · Chrome: tap the Share button (box with arrow at the bottom), then tap "Add to Home Screen"
- Android · Chrome: tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner, then tap "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
- Once installed, the tour opens like a regular app — no browser bar, full screen
Start Exploring
Browse all historic locations from the Historic Sites page. View them on an interactive map or scroll the full list — each location shows a photo, address, and description.
- Tap "Historic Sites" in the navigation menu
- Scroll the list on the right or explore the map on the left
- Tap any map marker to see a popup with the site's photo and details
- Tap "Details" in the popup to visit the full location page
- Tap "Add to Tour" to include a site in your custom tour
Create Your Tour
Build a custom walking route using three different starting points — browse the site list, pick stops from the map, or choose a curated theme.
- Tap "Create Your Tour" in the navigation menu
- Choose your method: Select Sites, View by Map, or Curated Tours
- Select Sites: check off the locations you want to visit from the list
- View by Map: tap markers on the map to add or remove stops
- Curated Tours: pick a theme — matching sites are auto-selected, and you can customize from there
- Tap "Create Tour" to generate your optimized walking route
Curated Theme Tours
Explore Southampton through themed tours built around specific chapters of local history — Black history, the Revolutionary era, and veterans of our armed forces.
- Tap "Curated Tours" in the navigation menu
- Read about each theme and see the sites it includes
- Tap "Start This Tour" to load the tour with sites pre-selected
- Uncheck any sites you want to skip, or add more from the list
- Tap "Create Tour" to build your optimized walking route
Using the Map
The interactive map on the Historic Sites page shows all tour locations. Tap any marker to see a summary card with photo, address, and quick actions.
- Allow location access when prompted for the best experience
- Tap any marker to open a popup card with photo and description
- Tap "Add to Tour" in the popup to include that site in your tour
- Tap "Details" to go to the full location page
- Markers with a checkmark are already added to your tour
- Hover over a list item to highlight its marker on the map
Getting Directions
Get turn-by-turn walking directions to any location using your preferred maps app.
- Open any location's detail page
- Tap the "Get Directions" button
- Your maps app (Apple Maps or Google Maps) will open
- Follow the walking directions to reach the site
Audio Guides
Many locations include a narrated audio guide. Listen while you walk to learn the history and significance of each site.
- Open any location page — look for the Audio Guide section
- Tap the play button to start listening
- Use the skip buttons to jump forward or backward
- Audio keeps playing as you scroll the page
Offline Access
Pages are cached automatically as you browse. Revisit them anytime without an internet connection — perfect for areas with poor signal.
- Browse your planned tour stops while connected to Wi-Fi or data
- Content is saved to your device automatically as you visit pages
- Return to any previously visited page without internet
- For best results, browse all your stops before heading out
Proximity Notifications
Receive an alert as you approach each point of interest on your walking tour.
- Allow notifications and location access when prompted
- Keep the app open while walking
- You'll receive an alert as you get close to each location
- Tap the notification to view the location's details
Pro Tips
Browse Before You Go
Visit your planned tour stops at home while on Wi-Fi. Pages load automatically in the background, so you can access them later without a data connection.
Save Mobile Data
Once pages are cached, you won't need a data connection to revisit them — great for exploring without burning through your mobile data.