AMPLEFORTH Abbey is set to undergo £2.9million of refurbishment work thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The grant will go towards repairing the Grade II listed Monk’s Bridge which was built in 1854 to enable the monks to maintain their private enclosure when walking to their nearby cemetery.

It will also provide the funds needed for urgent repairs at Ampleforth’s Grade I listed Abbey Church, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

Sue Fisher, Director of Development at the abbey, said: “Receiving HLF’s support is a testament to the historical significance of Ampleforth Abbey.

"This National Lottery money will enable us to encourage more visitors to come to see and experience the Benedictine way of life in the 21st century.”

The abbey and its landscape, which is home to one of Britain’s largest Benedictine monastic community, will receive £223,600 from the HLF to develop the project which will finalised in 18 months.

Subject to approval of these plans by the HLF the remainder of the funding will be released to the abbey.

Lord Julian Fellowes, writer and Ampleforth Abbey supporter, said: “I am delighted to hear that Ampleforth Abbey is to receive help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"My love of the theatre was inspired during my time there, and I hope that the Abbey with its long tradition, its wide range of facilities and its wonderful location will continue to be a source of inspiration to many others.”

Funds will extend the visitor experience and provide a better understanding of monastic life and heritage with the 59 monks engaging with visitors through organised retreats, acts of worship, the visitor centre, tea room, orchard, shop and landscape.

Sir Peter Luff, chairman of HLF, said: “Ampleforth Abbey is a place of inspiration and beauty. It has entranced past generations and will continue to do so in the future thanks to National Lottery players.

"We’re investing £3million to help the abbey to be the vibrant and welcoming place the monks rightly wish.

"Visitors will see more clearly than ever the wonderful heritage of buildings, of nature and of faith as they marvel at the abbey’s breath-taking architecture, enjoy the surrounding landscape and learn how its Benedictine monastic community works in the 21st century.”