10 Years Stories #4 – Huntingdonshire – The District That Changed Everything

 When No Became The Path to Yes 

We were hearing the same story repeatedly. Town after town responded to our outreach with genuine enthusiasm—they loved the concept, understood the value, wanted TrailTale for their community. But then came the inevitable conclusion: “We simply don’t have the budget.”

It was frustrating, but 
enlightening. These weren’t rejections—they were redirections. Several town 
councils suggested the same solution: “Have you tried approaching the 
district council?” It seemed so obvious in hindsight. Why were we knocking 
on individual doors when someone could open them all at once?

This feedback crystallised 
something important. The towns in greatest need of heritage trails—the smaller 
communities with rich histories but limited resources—were exactly the ones who 
couldn’t afford individual commissions. If we truly believed every community 
deserved to have their stories told, we needed to think bigger. We needed to 
work with districts.

Enter Huntingdonshire—the district 
that believed in our vision enough to make history with us.

Huntingdonshire is a sprawling 
district encompassing numerous small towns, each fiercely proud of their 
heritage and stories, such as Kimbolton. The district council understood 
something profound: these communities needed support, especially as they worked 
to regenerate after the devastating impact of the Corona pandemic. Heritage 
tourism could be part of the recovery. TrailTale could be the tool.

Their commission was ambitious: 
fourteen trails across the district. This wasn’t just about towns, either. 
Villages, nature reserves, historic sites—they all had stories worth telling. 
And then came the masterstroke: a 21-mile route along the River Great Ouse, 
weaving together towns and villages into one magnificent narrative. This trail 
told stories of local history, celebrated stunning natural scenery, and 
revealed the forgotten mills that once lined the riverbanks, driving the 
region’s economy.

The project was commissioned five 
years ago. We delivered all fourteen trails in a record-breaking five months—a 
testament to how mature and efficient our platform had become.

But here’s what matters most: five 
years later, the main towns are still recording 3-5 downloads per week, each. 
That’s not just launch excitement—that’s sustained impact. Week after week, 
month after month, year after year, people continue discovering Huntingdonshire’s 
stories through TrailTale. This is what lasting heritage engagement looks like 
when you combine compelling content with a solid, accessible mobile platform.

Huntingdonshire didn’t just 
commission trails—they proved a model. They showed that districts could 
champion their smaller communities, that comprehensive regional approaches 
work, and that investing in digital heritage delivers returns that compound over
time.

They were the first 
district to partner with us. They won’t be the last.

#TrailTale10Years #Story4  #HuntingdonshireHeritage #DistrictPartnership