TOP scientists from a university in Germany are working with The National Trust to study how visitors to Stourhead interact with the landscape around them.

During a one week experiment, specially designed glasses that track eye movement will be offered to visitors in order to better understand their experience.

The results will determine what parts of the garden attracts the most attention and how people perceive the space around them as they progress through the garden.

Professor Dirk Junker and his research team, from the Osnabrueck University of Applied Sciences, are using mobile Eye Tracking in real and unaffected environments to gain their results.

Christian Nollen, a member of the research team said: “The visit to Stourhead is another important step in the funded research project named ‘Point de Vue’ which seeks to investigate the visitor behaviour in promenade gardens using mobile Eye Tracking.”

From September 20 – 25, visitors to Stourhead will be invited to take part in the project and asked to wear the high-tech glasses on their journey around the garden.

The data collected is anonymous and will be analysed by the team of scientists and then used to improve how the National Trust creates and cares for their sites in the future.

Emily Utgren, a member of the Stourhead garden team, said: “The garden was designed to have hidden vistas which were introduced to move and inspire visitors to continue on their journey and discover the genius of the place.

“We have a good idea from visitors’ feedback which parts of the garden they most enjoy, but this will give us a detailed picture of how visitors interact with the garden subconsciously.

“It will give us vital information enabling us to focus our work on preserving the landscape garden so visitors can continue to enjoy the garden that Henry the Magnificent first designed.”

For more information, phone Stourhead’s Estate Office on 01747 841152 or visit their website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead