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It was landscaped for the 3rd Marquess of Bute 140 years ago – but now the latest technology is helping to bring the history of one of Cardiff’s most famous parks to life.

Visitors to Bute Park, in the city centre, can now read the park’s fascinating story on their smartphones or tablets as they stroll past each point of interest.

The public can access a wealth of information, old photographs, drawings and maps of the park by using a QR (Quick Response) code reader on their mobile device.

At 10 tour stops around the park, small plaques have been installed featuring QR code links to web-hosted content, much of which has never previously been accessible to the public.

Councillor Huw Thomas, cabinet member for sport, leisure and culture, said: “The QR Code trail in Bute Park is set to be a fantastic educational and learning tool.

“As well as captivating local people it will be hugely useful for tourism as visitors to the city can readily learn about this wonderful park which is so rich in history and important to Cardiff.

“It is essential Cardiff keeps up to date with the latest technology.

“By bringing the old and modern worlds together we can bring the park’s history to life in a new way, allowing users to find out about its history and significance and further adding to the appeal of this magnificent space.”

Visitors can learn the history and significance of various features around the park, as well as looking at old photographs showing how the spot they are standing on looked in the historic past or before improvement works carried out as part of the Bute Park Restoration Project.

This is the first site-specific tour offered by the online information project HistoryPoints, which has placed QR codes at more than 500 places of interest around Wales.

Julia Sas, of the Bute Park Restoration Project, said: “The QR code-based heritage trail is an innovative interpretation tool which has a number of benefits for a sensitive historic landscape like Bute Park.

“The plaques have a lower visual impact than traditional interpretation boards, the website content can be updated as new information or images come to light, and QR codes may target a different section of park users who may not find static interpretation boards as appealing.”

The QR codes are provided by the Bute Park Restoration Project, which is supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Anyone can browse the Bute Park web pages by going to www.historypoints.org/index.php?page=bute-park