WORK is about to start on a new visitor facility at one of the region’s great monastic ruins.

The project at Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley, will include a new visitor reception, refurbishment of the school house and the refurbishment and structural alterations to the museum buildings.

The work is expected to start on Monday and take around 10 months and includes major improvements to the museum.

And when finished it will present the story of Rievaulx and showcase its role within England’s monastic history in a new way as well as displaying its collection from the site.

The work will enable the museum to meet the criteria required to accept important artefacts from regional and national institutions.

Other benefits include a bigger café, improved reception, shop and visitor facilities.

Planning and consultation started in autumn 2014. Contractors York-based company, Simpson (York) Limited were chosen.

English Heritage area manager Clea Warner said: “Rievaulx Abbey is set in such a beautiful setting it’s important that we appointed a contractor that could work to the timelines and carry the work out sensitively with minimal disruption to visitors and the nearby community.

“With the help of Simpson, we are looking forward to getting to the end of this project and unveiling a new and improved site.”