The Story Collector – an immersive audio experience about the University of Hertfordshire

'Walk This Play: The Story Collector' is an exciting new audio play that lets your imagination fly; immerse in a unique and independently led journey of imagination and discovery!

UH Arts + Culture have commissioned a bespoke audio-guided storytelling walk about the University. Created by award-winning theatre company ThickSkin, Walk This Play® is a captivating audio play that transports audiences into a series of fascinating stories which help you see the University from a new perspective.

Black and white illustration of a cat in the centre surrounded by University of Hertfordshire, Festival of Ideas and UH Arts + Culture logos and a yellow title reading 'The Story Collector

Through narration and original music blended with the sights and sounds around you, Walk This Play® takes you on a journey through various locations across the College Lane campus. Using your own phone and headphones, the walks are self-led, taking verbal guidance from Picatto the narrator. The walk takes approximately 30-45 minutes and can be done at anytime.

Simply pop on your headphones, press play and walk!  

  1. Connect to the Wi-fi or use your mobile data on your smart device.
  2. Walk to the Main Reception on our College Lane Campus, put on your headphones, and press the orange play button above.
  3. If you have any issues, head to our SoundCloud page and press play: Walk This Play: The Story Collector
  4. Listen to Picatto the narrator for instructions on where to walk.
  5. Look out for our maps and paw print markers around campus to further guide you.

Story timestamps:

  1. 02:18 – start at Main Reception (College Lane Campus)
  2. 04:28 – Hatfield Cairn sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy
  3. 09:28 – Sir Geoffrey de Havilland sculpture by Keith Maddison
  4. 14:10 – across the road from UH Nursery*
  5. 16:42 – outside the entrance to Hutton Hub*
  6. 21:53 – finish at the Mountain sculpture by Diane Maclean

*Trigger warning: stories 4 and 5 contain references to illness and grief which may be distressing to some listeners. Age recommendation 12+ or with adult supervision.

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Parking

Parking is available in Student Car Park E or The Forum Multi-storey Car Park (Parking Map) and is FREE for the first 2 hours on weekdays, with a £2 fee (£3 from 1 August) thereafter payable via Hozah.

We also have a Park and Ride facility located at Angerlands (AL10 8HS) which offers FREE parking + £1 for the regular shuttle bus during term time. Further information here: Parking at UH

Accessibility

Accessible parking and toilets are available on campus. The walk is accessible for wheelchair users, with some inclines but no steps. You can pause, rewind or fast-forward the audio guide using the story timestamps above so you can enjoy at your own pace.

Visually impaired audiences may need a walking companion for safety with crossing roads. We are currently working on providing a transcript or captions for d/Deaf audiences.

If you do not own a smart device but would like to take part, please get in touch uharts@herts.ac.uk