1Install the App on Your Phone
Add to Home Screen
No app store required. Open Southampton Village Walking Tour in your phone's browser, then follow the steps for your device to install it as a full-screen app.
iPhone · Safari
- Tap the Share button (the box with an upward arrow at the bottom of the screen)
- Scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen”
- Tap “Add” in the top-right corner
iPhone · Chrome
- Tap the Share button (box with arrow) at the bottom
- Tap “Add to Home Screen”
Android · Chrome
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner
- Tap “Add to Home screen” or “Install app”
Once installed, the tour opens like a regular app — full screen, no browser bar.
2Enable GPS & Location Access
Why Location Access Matters
GPS powers the best features of the tour. When you allow location access, the app can show how far you are from each site, auto-optimize your route starting from your current position, and alert you when you arrive at a stop.
iPhone
- When the app prompts you, tap “Allow While Using App”
- If you dismissed it, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
- Find your browser (Safari or Chrome) and set it to “While Using”
Android
- When prompted, tap “Allow” or “Allow only while using the app”
- If you dismissed it, go to Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Location
If you deny location access, the app still works — you just won't see your distance to sites, arrival alerts, or GPS-optimized route ordering.
3Features Guide
Browse Historic Sites
View all available locations on an interactive map and scrollable list. Each site shows a photo, address, description, and audio guide if available.
- Tap “Historic Sites” in the navigation menu
- Browse the list on the right or explore the map on the left
- Tap any map marker to see a popup with photo and quick actions
- Tap “Details” in the popup to visit the full location page
- Tap “Add to Tour” to include a site in your custom tour
- Tap the Audio button on any site card to listen to its narration
Create Your Tour
Build a personalized walking or driving route. Select as many or as few stops as you like — the app optimizes the order starting from your location.
- Tap “Create Your Tour” in the navigation menu or homepage
- Check the sites you want to visit from the list, or tap markers on the map
- Tap “Build Tour” — the app will request your GPS location
- Allow location access so your route starts from the nearest site
- Review your optimized stop order, total distance, and estimated time
- Use the Walk / Drive toggle to switch travel mode
- Tap “Open Walking Directions” or “Open Driving Directions” to launch your maps app
Walking & Driving Mode
Switch between walking and driving at any time. The app adjusts estimated time, step count, and navigation directions accordingly.
- After building your tour, find the Walk / Drive toggle in the route summary
- Walk mode shows estimated walk time and step count
- Drive mode shows estimated drive time (with road factor applied)
- The map route updates automatically when you switch modes
- Directions open in Apple Maps (iOS) or Google Maps (Android/desktop)
- Individual site pages also have a “Get Directions” button that respects your current mode
Curated Theme Tours
Pre-built tours grouped by topic, era, or time available. Sites are pre-selected — customize them before you go.
- Tap “Curated Tours” in the navigation menu
- Read about each theme and see the sites it includes
- Tap “Start This Tour” to load 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 shows all sites as markers. Tap any marker for a quick summary — then add it to your tour or view full details.
- Allow location access to see your position on the map
- Tap any marker to open a summary card with photo, address, and description
- Sites already added to your tour show a checkmark on their marker
- Hover or tap a list item to highlight its marker on the map
- Tap “Details” in the popup card to visit the full location page
Audio Narration
Many locations include a recorded audio guide. Listen while you stand at the site to hear the full history and stories behind each place.
- Open any location page — look for the Audio Guide section
- Tap the play button to start listening
- Use the skip forward / backward buttons to jump 15 seconds
- Audio continues playing as you scroll the page or switch to another tab
- On the Historic Sites list, tap the Audio button on any card to play a quick preview
- Your phone volume controls the playback — turn it up before you arrive
Arrival Alerts (GPS Notifications)
When you build a tour and keep the app open, you'll receive an automatic alert as you physically approach each stop — no need to check the app constantly.
- Build a tour and tap “Build Tour”
- Allow location access when prompted — this is required for arrival alerts
- Keep the app open on your screen as you walk
- A card slides up automatically when you get within range of a stop
- The alert shows the site name, photo, and an audio play button if available
- Tap “Next Stop” to dismiss and continue your route
- Toggle alerts on or off with the bell icon in the route summary
Keep your screen on and the app in the foreground for alerts to fire reliably. Background GPS varies by device and browser.
Stamp Card
Earn a digital stamp each time you visit a location during your tour. Collect all the stamps to complete the tour.
- Stamps are earned automatically when an arrival alert fires at a stop
- A stamp animation plays on screen — look for it when you arrive
- View your collected stamps in the tour progress section
- When all stops are visited, a Tour Complete screen appears
- Stamps are saved to your device — they persist if you close and reopen the app
“Did You Know?” Fun Facts
Short pop-up facts appear as you explore each location page. They highlight surprising details and hidden history.
- Fun facts pop up automatically as you scroll through a location's page
- Tap the card to dismiss it and continue reading
- Each location can have multiple facts — they rotate as you visit
Offline Access
Pages are cached as you browse them. Once loaded, they're available even without a data connection — useful in areas with poor signal.
- Browse all your planned stops at home while on Wi-Fi
- Pages and images are saved automatically as you visit them
- Return to any previously visited page without internet
- For best results, open every location page before heading out
Share the App
Share the tour with friends and family via QR code, a direct link, or your phone's native share sheet.
- Scroll to the bottom of any page and tap “Share this App” in the footer
- Scan the QR code with another phone's camera to open the tour instantly
- Tap “Copy” to copy the link and paste it into a text or email
- Tap “Send via Text / Email / More” to use your phone's built-in share options
Tips for the Best Experience
Install Before You Go
Add the app to your home screen at home so it opens instantly when you're out exploring.
Allow Location Access
GPS enables arrival alerts, nearest-stop routing, and distance badges. It won't drain your battery significantly.
Turn Volume Up
Audio narrations play through your phone speaker. Raise your volume before you arrive at each site.
Browse Before You Leave
Open each location page at home on Wi-Fi — the app caches them so you won't need data in the field.
Keep the App Open
Arrival alerts require the app to be in the foreground. Keep your screen on as you walk between stops.
Driving to Sites?
Use the Drive toggle in your tour summary. Directions open in Apple Maps (iPhone) or Google Maps (Android).
Ready to Explore?
Start by browsing all available historic sites, or jump straight into building your route.