Preserving history with drone technology

Heritage conservation is evolving with the advent of 3D Digital Twin technology, enabling accurate, immersive, and data-rich documentation of historical sites and artifacts. Using advanced drone photogrammetry, we create highly detailed three-dimensional virtual replicas of heritage assets, facilitating their analysis, preservation, and public engagement.

What is a 3D digital twin for heritage and conservation?

A 3D Digital Twin is a virtual high-fidelity model of a historical site or artifact, generated using aerial drone photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques. These digital replicas allow for:

• Comprehensive analysis of architectural details.
• Remote condition monitoring of fragile or inaccessible structures.
• Virtual restoration and preservation planning.
• Educational and public engagement through interactive visualisation.
• Disaster recovery support, ensuring accurate records for potential restorations.

Drone-based photogrammetry and 3D modelling provide a non-invasive, highly accurate alternative to traditional survey methods, capturing heritage sites with millimetre-level precision.

Our public 3D digital twin database

We are collaborating with both local and national heritage custodians to develop a publicly accessible archive of 3D models. This database will serve as a valuable resource for educators, tourists, and researchers, providing an interactive and immersive way to explore and preserve historical and cultural landmarks.

We are currently accepting requests for 3D scans of large heritage buildings. If you would like a site to be digitally preserved, please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and arrange a scan.

St Peter and St Paul's Church - Dry Drayton - Cambridgeshire

St Peter and St Paul's Church in Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire, is a historic parish church with origins dating back to the 13th century. Built in the Gothic style, the church features a medieval tower, a nave with 14th-century arcades, and later Perpendicular-style windows. The church underwent restorations in the 19th century, preserving its historic character while adapting to modern needs.

Inside, notable features include a 15th-century font, remnants of medieval wall paintings, and several memorials to local families. The churchyard contains historic gravestones, adding to its heritage significance.

All Saints Church - Covington - Huntingdon

All Saints’ Church in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. The current building primarily dates from the 15th century, though earlier churches may have stood on the site. Built in the Perpendicular Gothic style, it features a striking west tower, large clerestory windows, and elegant stonework.

The church underwent significant restorations in the 19th century, preserving its historic features while accommodating modern congregational needs. Inside, it houses notable memorials, including tributes to prominent local figures, and a finely crafted font.



Church of St James Ruins - Bawsey - Kings Lynn

The hauntingly beautiful ruins of St. James' Church in Bawsey, near King's Lynn, stand as a testament to centuries of history, resilience, and mystery. Perched on an elevated site that once overlooked an estuary of the Gaywood River, the church dates back to the early 12th century and is believed to have originally been a Late Saxon minster.

The site’s rich past, coupled with its striking architectural remnants, made it an ideal candidate for our latest 3D modeling project. Using state-of-the-art drone technology, we meticulously captured high-resolution aerial imagery to create an accurate and immersive digital reconstruction of the ruins.

Bawsey was once a thriving medieval village, but as the landscape changed and water levels receded, its population dwindled. By 1517, the church was likely no longer in use, and records suggest it had already fallen into ruin by the late 18th century. Today, the site consists of imposing stone walls, a towering Norman archway, and remnants of a central bell tower, all constructed from locally sourced carrstone, flint, and limestone.

The church gained wider attention in 1998 when the ‘Time Team’ television programme conducted an excavation, unearthing a female skeleton with evidence of cranial injuries. Initial theories speculated she might have been a victim of a Viking raid, but further analysis suggested that the wounds resulted from an ancient surgical procedure known as trephination, performed over 1,300 years ago.