Research first
Every script is built around evidence, context and the specific character of the site.
About Past Paths
Research-led audio interpretation for historic places.
Past Paths creates digital audio experiences for heritage organisations, helping visitors understand historic places through carefully researched, accessible storytelling.
What we do
We turn research into visitor experiences people can follow at their own pace.
Each Past Paths experience combines historical research, architectural observation and clear interpretation, designed to support heritage partners without adding pressure to staff, volunteers or existing budgets.
Visitor focused
Audio experiences are written to be easy to follow on site, with a clear route through the story.
Partner led
We work with the organisations who know their places best, so interpretation feels accurate and appropriate.
Our purpose
Making local history easier to access.
Past Paths is designed for historic sites, trusts, churches, councils and community heritage projects that want high-quality interpretation without needing to build their own app or audio platform.
Accuracy
Interpretation should be engaging, but it should also be trustworthy.
Atmosphere
The best audio experiences help visitors notice the place around them.
Access
Digital interpretation should support independent visitors and different learning styles.
Partnership
We create experiences with heritage organisations, not simply for them.
Our Team
The people behind Past Paths.
Photograph
Founder & Director
Harry Elsden
Harry founded Past Paths in 2024 with the aim of making high-quality digital audio interpretation accessible to organisations of all sizes, helping them enrich the visitor experience and share more of the stories connected with the places they care for.
With academic qualifications in history at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and a longstanding interest in historic places and the natural world, Harry has experience volunteering within both the heritage and nature conservation sectors. These experiences helped shape his belief that engaging interpretation can transform the way visitors understand and connect with the places they explore.
Harry leads the research and development of Past Paths experiences, working closely with each partner from the initial concept and research through to script development and the finished experience. His historical interests include military, social and architectural history, while Past Paths' work with landscapes and wildlife sites reflects a wider interest in how the stories of people, places and the natural environment can be brought together through interpretation.
Narrator
Howard Leader
Howard Leader trained as an actor and early in his career toured widely in theatre productions in the UK and abroad. He spent four years in the cast of the hit comedy show ‘Allo Allo’, appearing in television episodes and in the show’s theatre cast in seasons at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, the London Palladium, and international tours.
His career took on an extra dimension when he became part of Esther Rantzen’s BBC That’s Life! programme, on which he was a weekly presenter for five years. Thereafter, Howard continued to present on television and radio for the BBC and independent broadcasters, developed a journalistic strand as a writer for newspapers and magazines, and grew into writing and directing documentary and news feature material.
Howard says, “I was delighted to be invited to narrate these Past Paths audio productions designed to share the wonderful stories from Britain’s rich history with listeners exploring its fascinating places.”
Start a Partnership
Interested in discussing a Past Paths experience?
We would be delighted to hear from heritage organisations, trusts and sites interested in creating a carefully researched digital audio experience.