Where Next Documentation
Where Next uses simple HTML meta tags to import locations from websites into the Where Next app. These tags allow a website to describe a place, attraction, venue or family day out in a format the app can understand.
You can add Where Next support using the official WordPress Connector plugin, or manually by adding the tags directly to your website HTML.
How Where Next Tags Work
Where Next tags are placed inside the <head> section of a webpage. When a visitor taps a Where Next link or button, the app reads the page, looks for these tags, and prepares the location for import.
- A visitor opens a location page on your website.
- They tap Send to Where Next.
- The Where Next app opens.
- The app reads the Where Next tags from the page.
- The visitor reviews and saves the location.
Minimum Required Tag
Only one tag is required for a page to be recognised as a Where Next location:
<meta name="wherenext:name" content="Portchester Castle">This tells Where Next the name of the place being imported. Without this tag, the page should not be treated as a valid Where Next location.
Recommended Tags
Recommended tags are not strictly required, but they create a much better import experience for users.
| Tag | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
wherenext:name | Place name | Portchester Castle |
wherenext:address | Address or location description | Church Road, Portchester, Hampshire |
wherenext:postcode | Postcode | PO16 9QW |
wherenext:category | Type of location | Castle |
wherenext:website | Official website | https://example.com |
wherenext:coverImageUri | Cover image URL | https://example.com/image.jpg |
wherenext:latitude | Latitude coordinate | 50.837977 |
wherenext:longitude | Longitude coordinate | -1.116361 |
Basic Example
<meta name="wherenext:name" content="Portchester Castle">
<meta name="wherenext:address" content="Church Road, Portchester">
<meta name="wherenext:postcode" content="PO16 9QW">
<meta name="wherenext:category" content="Castle">
<meta name="wherenext:website" content="https://example.com">Optional Tags
Optional tags provide extra useful information. Use them when the information is available and relevant.
| Tag | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
wherenext:version | Tag specification version | 1.0 |
wherenext:bookingUrl | Booking or tickets page | https://example.com/book |
wherenext:what3words | what3words location | swift.calls.tanks |
wherenext:phone | Contact phone number | 02392 378291 |
wherenext:pricing | Pricing summary | Adult|£10.20;Child|£5.10 |
wherenext:membershipProvider | Membership scheme | English Heritage |
wherenext:openingTimes | Opening times summary | Monday|10:00 – 17:00 |
wherenext:indoorOutdoor | Indoor, outdoor or both | both |
wherenext:parking | Parking information | Free parking available |
wherenext:ageSuitability | Age suitability | All ages |
Pricing
Pricing can be provided in one of two ways. Use either the single pricing summary tag or individual price tags. Do not use both formats on the same page.
Option A: Single Pricing Tag
<meta name="wherenext:pricing" content="Adult|£10.20;Child|£5.10;Concession|£9.35;Family|£25.50">Option B: Individual Price Tags
<meta name="wherenext:adultPrice" content="£10.20">
<meta name="wherenext:childPrice" content="£5.10">
<meta name="wherenext:familyPrice" content="£25.50">
<meta name="wherenext:concessionPrice" content="£9.35">Opening Times
Opening times can also be provided in one of two ways. Use either the single opening times tag or individual day tags. Do not use both formats on the same page.
Option A: Single Opening Times Tag
<meta name="wherenext:openingTimes" content="Monday|10:00 - 17:00;Tuesday|10:00 - 17:00;Wednesday|10:00 - 17:00;Thursday|10:00 - 17:00;Friday|10:00 - 17:00;Saturday|10:00 - 17:00;Sunday|10:00 - 17:00">Option B: Individual Day Tags
<meta name="wherenext:monday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:tuesday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:wednesday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:thursday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:friday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:saturday" content="10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:sunday" content="10:00 - 17:00">Complete Example
<head>
<title>Portchester Castle</title>
<meta name="wherenext:version" content="1.0">
<meta name="wherenext:name" content="Portchester Castle">
<meta name="wherenext:address" content="Church Road, Portchester, Hampshire">
<meta name="wherenext:postcode" content="PO16 9QW">
<meta name="wherenext:category" content="Castle">
<meta name="wherenext:website" content="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portchester-castle/">
<meta name="wherenext:coverImageUri" content="https://example.com/images/portchester-castle.jpg">
<meta name="wherenext:bookingUrl" content="https://example.com/book/">
<meta name="wherenext:what3words" content="swift.calls.tanks">
<meta name="wherenext:latitude" content="50.837977">
<meta name="wherenext:longitude" content="-1.116361">
<meta name="wherenext:phone" content="02392 378291">
<meta name="wherenext:pricing" content="Adult|£10.20;Child|£5.10;Family|£25.50">
<meta name="wherenext:membershipProvider" content="English Heritage">
<meta name="wherenext:openingTimes" content="Monday|10:00 - 17:00;Tuesday|10:00 - 17:00;Wednesday|10:00 - 17:00;Thursday|10:00 - 17:00;Friday|10:00 - 17:00;Saturday|10:00 - 17:00;Sunday|10:00 - 17:00">
<meta name="wherenext:indoorOutdoor" content="both">
<meta name="wherenext:parking" content="Free parking available">
<meta name="wherenext:ageSuitability" content="All ages">
</head>Deep Link Button
To let visitors send the page to Where Next, link to the app using the current page URL as the source URL.
<a href="wherenext://import-place?sourceUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fyour-location-page%2F">
Send to Where Next
</a>For production websites, provide a fallback page for visitors who do not have the Where Next app installed.
Fallback Behaviour
If the app is installed, the visitor should be taken into Where Next. If the app is not installed, they should be taken to a landing page where they can learn more about the app and download or join the tester list.
Validation
After adding Where Next tags, test the page using the Where Next Validator. The validator checks whether the page contains recognised Where Next tags and highlights missing or recommended information.
Best Practices
- Place tags inside the page
<head>. - Use full public HTTPS URLs for website, booking and image links.
- Use either block format or individual fields for pricing, not both.
- Use either block format or day fields for opening times, not both.
- Keep pricing and opening times up to date.
- Use lowercase values for
indoorOutdoor:indoor,outdoororboth. - Use decimal latitude and longitude values.
- Use clear categories such as Castle, Museum, Park, Zoo, Beach, Garden, Historic Site or Family Attraction.
- Use an image that is publicly accessible and suitable as a location cover image.
WordPress Users
If your website uses WordPress, you do not need to add these tags manually. The official Where Next Connector plugin can generate tags and buttons automatically from your posts, pages, custom fields and taxonomies.