The site which has been owned by the National Trust since 1979 is one of the country’s best preserved remains of an industry which dominated the local landscape and national economy for 250 years.

Alum was vital to the textile industry, helping to bind dyes to cloth, thus making the colours brighter and longer lasting. Its production was long and complex, involving the quarrying and burning of Jurassic shale rock before various washing, boiling and cooling stages were undertaken down at the alum works to create alum flour, the final and extremely valuable product.

The entire process can be traced in Ravenscar, from the quarries above the old railway line to the cliff top alum house remains.

Bosses at the National Trust say they want to develop more information and event opportunities on the site and the recent Alum Open Day was devised as a way of bringing the role of alum to life with spinning, dyeing and felt making demonstrations by local crafts business Wheeldale Woolcrafts.

Chris Corbett, learning officer for the National Trust’s North York Moors and Coast property, said: “It’s hard to believe how busy this once very industrial site was, along with other alum quarries and works along the coast and further inland.

“It is such a peaceful place to visit now with a profusion of wild flowers to enjoy and orchids in bloom in neighbouring meadows.

“Birds such as swallows, swifts and pied wagtails can be seen feeding or nesting around the site and the views across to Robin Hood’s Bay are breathtaking”.

Following the success of the open day, plans are being made for events next year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of National Trust ownership of the alum works.

More information about the alum works and this year’s summer events programme is available at the National Trust’s Coastal Centre, open daily 10.30am-5pm until the end of September.