The history of Bath’s famous Roman baths are to be told as part of a new visitor experience, thanks to a grant of £3.4m (US$4.2m, €3.8m) from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The £5m (US$6.1m, €5.6m) Archway Project will provide the English city with a learning centre and World Heritage Centre, with the scheme aiming to breathe new life into the former Victorian spa buildings in Swallow Street and 10 York Street, close to the Roman Baths, putting them at the centre of the Roman Baths learning experience.

Once open, the learning centre – which will link to the Roman Baths via an underground tunnel – will offer school children hands-on sessions with Roman artefacts, with projects and activities also to be run for tourists and members of the local community.

Set among the Roman remains will be an “Investigation Zone” – a space where children will be able to explore and record archaeological materials and an excavation area where they will be able to unearth replica Roman objects.

In addition to the learning centre, the new World Heritage Centre will tell the story of the site, designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.

The HLF funding will also open up never-before-seen areas of the Roman remains, including a rare laconicum (sauna) and an exercise courtyard, revealing fascinating new aspects of the ancient site.

“From displaying hidden Roman rooms to inspiring the next generation to get hands-on with Bath’s past, this is an incredibly exciting project and we’re proud to offer our support, thanks of course to National Lottery players,” said Nerys Watts, head of HLF South West.

“Today’s investment will transform the way the city’s story is told, provide unprecedented access to its heritage and play a key role in the development of this World Heritage site.”

The project is due for completion in 2017. London-based Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios have been named architects for the development.