RIPON’S Workhouse Museum has opened up its new block to visitors thanks to a Lottery-funded expansion.

The main block, which contains the original Guardian’s living quarters, dorms and dining hall, doubles the size of the historic site which reveals the history of people who had fallen on hard times.

Thanks to a grant from the Heritage lottery Fund (HLF), visitors will now be able to see the master and matron’s parlour, the pantry, master’s study and schoolroom as well as the original dining hall which houses a newly commissioned artwork; Consumption by Pippa Hale

Chair of trustees Richard Taylor said: “We will be able to tell the whole Workhouse story in the proper place, have space so that more of the collection can be on show and dramatically help us to present the stories of the past in new and varied ways.”

The site also includes a Victorian kitchen garden.

Consumption artist Pippa Hale will be giving a talk, which will include a viewing of the new artwork, on July 29 from 2pm at the museum.