NATIONAL Lottery funding will help promote Dunkeswell Abbey, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and an important part of the Blackdown Hills landscape.

The Discovering Dunkeswell Abbey project has been awarded £9,700 to raise understanding and awareness of the nationally significant abbey complex.

Only fragments of the 13th Century Cistercian abbey, on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register, survive above ground and the site has no signage or interpretation information.

A community archaeology programme will help solve many questions left unanswered about the extent and significance of the substantial monastic complex.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund money has been awarded to Devon-based project partners the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, and Heritage, Arts and People (HAP).

Catherine Farnell of HAP, and project co-ordinator for the Discovering Dunkeswell Abbey project, said: “I’m thrilled that the project has received funding from the National Lottery and am looking forward to working with the local community to record and better interpret the abbey within its surroundings.”

Tim Youngs, manager of the Blackdown Hills AONB, said: “We are delighted to be working with Heritage, Arts and People to deliver this important project, that will engage communities to help uncover, share and celebrate the rich historic and cultural interest of Dunkeswell Abbey.”

The project will provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved in surveying the remains of the abbey, river walking to look for pottery and learning about the heritage of the site.

The results will be shared via Dunkeswell Abbey on Tour, a series of interactive workshops and events taking the project into schools and the community.

A newly-commissioned interpretation drawing of the abbey will be installed at the site, alongside information informed by the community archaeology programme.

The project also has the support of Devon County Council and Historic England, which is assisting with expertise and specialist support.

Charlotte Russell, heritage at risks projects officer at Historic England, said: “Historic England is delighted to support this work with local people to explore the history of this nationally important medieval monastery.

@Other work to repair and consolidate the site is also under way funded by Historic England grants.”

HAP is an Exeter-based Community Interest Company which focuses on enabling people of all ages to explore and enjoy their local heritage, bringing new, fulfilling and enriching experiences to participants and volunteers.

Anyone who would like to volunteer is asked to contact Catherine Farnell on [email protected] to register their interest.