A THRIVING attraction in the Yorkshire Dales has succeeded in turning the outside into the inside.

The Wensleydale Creamery has given its busy visitor centre a new look - and has used an innovative grass effect.

And now visitors will be able to walk on a lawn-like carpet along the viewing gallery to see cheese being handcrafted to a time-honoured recipe.

The look and feel of the room reflects the Dales’ pastures and brings the flora, fauna and wildlife of the area to life with pictures and graphics.

The installation of artificial grass was one of the final parts of the creamery’s £800,000 investment in its visitor centre which is already attracted considerable attention with visitor numbers up 20 per cent in April 2011 compared to the same time last year.

Managing director David Hartley said: “The improvements to the viewing gallery mark the final stages of the overall refurbishment of the creamery’s visitor centre.

“We are situated in one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of the country and we wanted to create a really natural environment in the viewing gallery reflecting this.

“The installation of the grass carpet has helped us to achieve our aim and the overall impression is very natural, which we believe enhances the experience of our visitors.”