Running from 1st to 30th August, the interactive trail transforms parts of the city centre into an underwater adventure, encouraging visitors to explore Hatfield Road, Catherine Street and the top end of St Peter’s Street while discovering ten augmented reality sea creatures along the way.

Using their smartphones, visitors can bring beautifully decorated seashell displays to life and encounter fascinating marine animals, from playful Sea Otters to mesmerising Jellyfish. Alongside the digital experience, participants will learn fun facts about ocean life, take selfies with the creatures and explore areas of the city they may not usually visit.

The trail has been designed to encourage exploration across multiple locations, helping to increase dwell time and footfall throughout the city centre during the summer holidays. Ocean Safari is split into two themed mini-trails. The Sunlit Reef introduces visitors to the colourful creatures of shallow waters, while The Deep Blue Mysteries takes them on a journey into the strange and wonderful world of the deep sea.

Visitors can access the trail by scanning one of the Ocean Safari window stickers displayed around the city centre or by visiting https://highstreetsafari.com/oceansafari. Trail sheets will also be available from St Albans Museum & Gallery, St Albans Library in The Maltings, and online at www.enjoystalbans.com.

The free attraction is expected to bring families into the city centre throughout August, creating additional opportunities for businesses to benefit from increased visitor numbers during the holiday period. Participants who find all ten creatures can download a free e-book and claim a printed prize pack, providing a further incentive to complete the trail.

Vivien Cannon, BID Manager at St Albans City Centre BID, said: “This is a lovely trail available throughout August and runs alongside the Pop-up Beach we are installing in the Civic Centre from 8th to 23rd August. It’s colourful, has many facts about sea life and adds to the adventure of visiting the city for days out in St Albans.”