The Bognor Regis Time Portal was a large-scale, site-specific augmented reality installation on the south coast of England. It opened to the public on 29 March 2024 and ran for 18 months, attracting over 80,000 visitors from across the UK and beyond.

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Using their smartphones, visitors could step back in time to experience life on the beach in the late 19th century. Through augmented reality, they encountered digital twins of Victorian bathing machines and met Mary Wheatland, a pioneering swimming teacher, lifesaver and bathing machine proprietor who worked on Bognor beach for over sixty years.

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Mary’s three-dimensional avatar was created using volumetric video, allowing her to tell her story directly to visitors. Her costume was faithfully recreated using historical references and input from local historians, ensuring authenticity in every detail.

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The project launched to mark the centenary of Mary Wheatland’s death in 1924 and went on to receive international recognition, including a finalist position at the 2024 Auggie Awards in L.A. (Best Art or Film category) and extensive BBC TV, radio and online coverage.

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Developed by Xray Portals in collaboration with the Bognor Regis Business Improvement District (BID), the experience contributed to a measurable rise in local footfall and visitor engagement. It was funded by an Arts Council England Project Grant and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with additional support from local partners.