A MAJOR historic site in the region has reopened following an extensive refurbishment to its museum and facilities.

Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley in Ryedale, is one of English Heritage’s most significant and well known sites in the North – and has had a facelift with a new tearoom, visitor centre and museum in a £1.8m project.

It is the first capital investment project to be delivered in the region under the organisation’s new status as a charity, and the works to the newly revamped museum mean previously unseen artefacts are now on display.

The centre tells the whole story of the Cistercian abbey, from when the first 12 monks travelled to Rievaulx with their abbot to establish the site in 1132, right through to the Suppression and the post-monastic use of the site.

Elaborate medieval stone carvings, chess pieces and gold coins tell the story of the rise and dramatic fall of the first Cistercian abbey in the North of England.

Liz Page, historic properties director for English Heritage North, said: “When we set out over a year ago to revamp this museum we put our visitor experience at the heart of what we wanted to achieve.

“The new museum, café and visitor centre certainly achieves this and we are proud to open the doors to one of our most prestigious sites.

“The team involved have worked hard and the museum tells a better story whilst being able to showcase previously unseen artefacts.”

After more than 400 years of monastic life Rievaulx Abbey was suppressed by Henry V111 in 1538, leaving the now spectacular ruins enjoyed by visitors today.

On display is a half-tonne lead bar stamped with Henry’s emblem – all that remains of the abbey’s roofs and windows and evidence of how 400 years of culture and tradition were destroyed.

The new museum and visitor centre at Rievaulx Abbey is now open daily from 10am to 6pm, and admission is £8 for adults, £4.80 for children, £7.10 for concessions and a family ticket is £20.80.

Free admission for English Heritage members. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit or 01439-798228.