A DALES tourist attraction has invested £5m into facilities that are open for visitors for the first time this summer.

The Wensleydale Creamery has spent the money on its Creamery and Visitor Centre, leading to a newly-completed Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Experience

Based at Hawes, The Wensleydale Creamery welcomes 250,000 visitors each year and, following the completion of its Visitor Experience this Summer, is expected to see even more visitors enjoying its new interactive activities and events.

The Experience enables visitors to take a journey through the art of cheese-making and see first-hand the highly-skilled cheese-makers handcrafting Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese.

Many cheese-making secrets can be discovered, such as how cranberries are put into Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, how blue cheese becomes blue, and how the miniature cheeses are coated in wax.

David Hartley, managing director of the creamery, said: “As we celebrate the completion of a significant investment in both our Visitor Centre and our Creamery, we look forward to welcoming visitors throughout the Summer to enjoy the ultimate Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Experience.

"Promising a fun day out, with lots to see and do for all the family, visitors can delight in a true taste of Yorkshire, discover the world of cheese-making and whet their appetite with our award-winning range of cheeses.”

Admission is £2.95 adult, £1.95 child or £7.95 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).