TWO museums situated in the ancient gateways to York are to undergo major refurbishments, and will be dedicated to two kings.

Monk Bar will play host to the Richard III Experience, while Micklegate Bar will become home to the Henry VII Experience.

The plans have been unveiled by the Jorvik Group, part of the York Archaeological Trust, which already runs the Micklegate Bar Museum and has now also taken over the Richard III Museum at Monk Bar.

The group’s director of attractions, Sarah Maltby, said that Michael Bennett, who founded the Richard III Museum some two decades ago, was retiring and had approached the group about it taking over the reins.

“Richard III has been very much in the news in recent years, and there’s a great opportunity to tell the story of Richard and his connections with the city of York, from his ascension to the bloody battles of Towton and then Bosworth,” she said.

“It then seemed logical to link Monk Bar with Micklegate Bar, so that with a short walk along the city walls, visitors can continue the story, looking at the subsequent reign of Henry VII, to create a visitor experience that really cements York’s role in the time of the Plantagenets and Tudors.”

Kate McMullen, head of Visit York, said the revamped museums would add a new dimension to York’s ‘superb’ tourism offer.

She added: ”York’s royal heritage is popular with visitors and these exciting plans will offer a fresh and timely insight into Medieval York.”