An intricate 3D learning quilt has been crafted so visually impaired visitors and children can enjoy and learn about the Old Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall and its famous ceiling in a new way.

The Old Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall has been renowned for its visual delights ever since Sir James Thornhill’s creation was unveiled in 1727.

Now another sense will be satisfied thanks to the introduction of the Tactile Rug – a detailed 3D quilt which can help visually impaired visitors and children enjoy the hall and its famous ceiling in a new way.

The rug was created during an 18 month period by Amanda Allen – a Plumstead artist who teaches textiles at Greenwich Community College – who was keen to take the commission from the Greenwich Foundation to further her commitment to art-aided learning.

Its effectiveness for use by visually-impaired visitors was developed and tested with the help of Ben Breen 14, and Georgia Collins, 16. Both were very impressed with the end product at the launch of the rug yesterday and talked about the details they liked and what they represented.

“His beard is extremely matted,” said Ben of John Woolley – who used to turn up drunk and noisy at the college when the hall was being painted and as a punishment was forced to pose for a portrait. “It simulates his age.

“It’s got a spring to it,” added Ben of the rug. “I love the way it gives. I also love the lamb, it’s so soft.

“A 3D picture builds up, as if I were looking at it. It’s very useful and interesting. And, everyone has a place in their heart for soft stuff,” he joked.

“It’s lovely to see it grown up and making friends,” added Amanda at the launch, while Ben, Georgia and other guests explored her creation with their hands for the first time.

“It’s fascinating the way they find their way round through feeling. They are so efficient and clever with their fingers. Before now, seeing them, I wasn’t completely sure it definitely works.

“It’s the first time I’ve made something like this,” she said. “I’m a hand-spinner and weaver usually. It’s been fun making it up as I go along.”

Amanda attended the college’s story-telling sessions for children to get a flavour for the ceiling’s strongest themes and then condensed the epic mural for her rug.

It depicts King William III and Queen Mary II as well as mythological figures such as the sun god Apollo, Athena, Hercules and Medusa.

Crafted using countless materials and techniques, Amanda’s quilt features faces formed from hand-made felt ‘good for tailoring skin tone’, eyes represented by beads of various sizes, a delicately knitted wool dove and an impossibly soft woollen lamb, sweet wrappers as flames ‘to generate a good crackle sound when touched’, armour and spears made from a metallic leather handbag, twisted plastic snakes to comprise Medusa’s hair and much more.

“I used my hearth rug for the lion’s mane,” said Amanda. “It’s never been the same since.”

Once completed, Alison vacuumed the rug to ensure its durability. “I didn’t want bits coming off,” she said.

“I can’t say I hope it will be as good as the ceiling because that is different for everybody. But I think it will help children interpret the ceiling. For them it simplifies it and helps them identify these characters and they’ll then know who to look out for.

“I’d like the chance to make something else like it. If the demand was there, I’d have another go.”

To view a gallery of images from the Tactile Rug launch click here