I had the unique opportunity to lead the creation of a new immersive experience within Cox’s Cave at Cheddar Gorge and Caves in Somerset, England. The brief was to reimagine the existing visitor narrative, giving me the freedom to develop the concept, story and creative direction from the ground up. The result was Yeo’s Journey: The Power of Water — an elegant and atmospheric natural history experience that takes visitors on a journey through time, revealing how the mighty River Yeo gradually carved one of Britain’s most remarkable geological landmarks.

Working closely with audio-visual specialists DJW, I helped shape an experience that blended animation, projection and lighting design to transform the cave into a living canvas. My goal was to create something that felt both educational and emotionally engaging, appealing equally to history enthusiasts, families and visitors simply looking to experience the wonder of the caves in a new way. The result was an immersive storytelling experience that brought millions of years of natural history vividly to life.

The experience was designed across nine distinct zones throughout the cave, each contributing a unique chapter to the overall narrative. At the heart of the journey was Yeo, a character I developed to act as a guide and connective thread between each space. My challenge was not only to tell a compelling story, but to ensure the visuals worked in harmony with the natural environment and the movement of visitors through it. Storyboarding became an essential part of the process, helping me shape the rhythm, pacing and flow of the experience. However, as the project evolved, I found that many of the strongest creative decisions came from responding directly to the space itself and refining the visuals based on what felt most natural and engaging within the cave.

From a technical standpoint, the project presented a number of unique challenges. Projecting onto irregular cave walls, stalagmites and natural rock formations required extensive planning and experimentation. To support this process, we undertook a complete 3D scan of the cave system, allowing us to accurately design and map content to the environment. This enabled us to carefully integrate animation, light and texture into the existing landscape, ensuring the visuals felt embedded within the cave rather than simply projected onto it. Throughout the project, my goal was to create an experience that encouraged curiosity, wonder and a deeper appreciation of the forces that shaped this remarkable place over millions of years.

The success of the experience was measured not only by audience engagement, but by its tangible impact on the attraction itself. Following launch, the installation contributed to a 3.3% increase in visitor footfall and achieved 83% positive customer feedback, demonstrating its ability to resonate with a broad audience. By combining immersive storytelling with projection, animation and environmental design, the project helped reposition Cox’s Cave as a contemporary visitor experience while remaining rooted in its natural heritage. Most importantly, it provided guests with a deeper emotional connection to the landscape, transforming a traditional cave walkthrough into a memorable and highly shareable attraction that continues to draw visitors to Cheddar Gorge today.