As part of Kingston’s Athel’s Town festivities on Sunday 27 July 2025, the King Athelstan Mixed Reality experience offered a special half-day showcase at the popular Bandstand in Canbury Gardens, running from 10am to 2pm. The event invited local residents and visitors to experience a unique fusion of digital heritage, art, and immersive technology, powered by Meta Quest 3 headsets.
Building on the momentum of our Grand Opening Day (read more here), the event formed part of the wider Kingston 2025 celebrations and was featured in the Surrey Comet (see highlights).
Using nine headsets throughout the morning and early afternoon, the team provided the mixed reality experience to around 80 visitors of all ages. Their reactions were overwhelmingly enthusiastic – “wow”, “amazing”, and “adorable” were frequently heard.
The experience featured a beautifully detailed digital statue of King Æthelstan, faithfully adapted from the original sculpture by renowned artist Andrew Sinclair, and enriched with subtle animations, a rich soundscape, and interactive elements. One feature stood out to many: the King’s loyal dog, faithfully recreated in digital form, who responded to affection with tail wags and gentle head movements. This lifelike interaction was especially popular with children – and also with the project lead, who made no secret of their own fondness for the hound!
Visitors who approached King Æthelstan with a respectful bow were granted a rare privilege: the chance to ask the King a question. His responses, delivered in a natural speaking voice, were powered by OpenAI technology, allowing the King to engage in mythic yet conversational dialogue. It was a memorable encounter for many – bridging eleven centuries with a mix of historical reverence and digital innovation.
The event was part of the Athel’s Town programme curated by Kingston Heritage Service (more here) and highlighted how mixed reality can breathe new life into the stories that shaped our past.
We thank all who attended and helped make this day a success. As we continue to develop the King Æthelstan VR experience, we remain committed to combining storytelling, technology and community engagement in new and inspiring ways.
The King’s loyal hound was especially popular with children
Visitors who approached King Æthelstan with a respectful bow were granted a rare privilege of asking the King a question
All photos in this page gave been created through a Quest 3 headset. More photos can be seen in our Gallery