AMPLEFORTH Abbey, home to probably the biggest collection of the famous ‘Mouseman’ furniture, is staging tours featuring the world-renowned oak furniture.

The visit will include a tour of the abbey including the school library, which dates back to 1861 and which was expanded in the 1920s.

That was when headmaster Father Paul Nevill commissioned Robert Thompson, the furniture-maker from Kilburn with a carved mouse trademark, to create furniture specially for the setting.

Gillian Dewar, spokeswoman for the abbey, said: “The library is reputed to be Thompson’s greatest work.”

The first entry in Thompson’s order book listed ‘Proposed village Crucifix for Ampleforth’, and it resulted in him making the abbot’s choir stall and six stalls flanking it.

Hundreds of churches through Britain boast ecclesiastical furniture made by Thompson, said Ms Dewar.

The tour will end with an afternoon tea and the next available one is on Saturday, August 25 at 2pm. The cost is £15 per person.

For further information and to book a place on the tour phone 01439 766085 or email lettings@ampleforth.org.uk