English Heritage aims to dramatically improve the visitor experience at Clifford's Tower in York with a substantial investment.

A public consultation with the residents of York will be held at the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate, York on Thursday 21 January between 11am and 8pm. Key members of the Clifford's Tower Revealed Project Team will present the scheme to the public from 6pm.

Jeremy Ashbee, Head Curator of Properties at English Heritage said: "We are investing in one of York's most iconic landmarks. The aim of this project is to tell the fascinating history of Clifford's Tower and its place in the city in a way that's never been told before. We welcome members of the public to drop in to the public consultation to find out what we are proposing and for us to get their views."

Clifford's Tower, situated between the River Ouse and the River Foss in the heart of York, is currently famous for offering superb views over the city. In the proposed scheme a timber structure will be installed to partially cover the ruin and provide a viewing and activity space at roof level. Suspended metal walkways will give access to previously unseen features at first floor level, enhance access to the roof and help visitors explore the tower.

At ground level, a new single-storey stone and glass visitor centre will be set into the mound. As well as improving access at the tower's entrance, it will reveal part of the substantial perimeter wall which has been buried since 1935.

The mound beneath Clifford's Tower is much older than the stone tower itself, dating at least to the reign of William the Conqueror. The stone tower was built in the 13th century but has stood as a shell since a fire in 1684 ruined the interior. The site has witnessed many events of national and international significance, including military sieges, public executions and the mass-suicide and massacre of the York Jewish community in 1190.

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