The “breathtaking” features of one of Kent's most iconic and photographed historic sites are set to be revealed following a five-year, £1 million restoration.

Scaffolding and sheeting has long-covered the Christ Church Gate of Canterbury Cathedral but KentOnline has been given a preview of the extraordinarily colourful and intricate work which has now been completed.

It shows how expert craftsmen have revived the original features of the Grade I-listed Tudor Gothic Gate, created circa 1520, in all its glory.

But missing from the façade will be the bronze Welcoming Christ statue, which is still under restoration.

It is not due to be re-installed until the spring of next year, when the final work to the entrance will also be completed.

The task facing the Cathedral’s own artisans has been to restore the intricate carvings of mythical beasts, flora and fauna, angels, heraldic shields - including the arms of Archbishop Thomas Becket and Cardinal Wolsey – and the great central boss, comprised of a large rose surrounded by a procession of animals.

One of the most striking features to be revealed will be the Gate’s vibrant colour scheme.

The craftsmen have based it on detailed archival research into heraldry and the Gate’s earlier decorative schemes - known as polychromy - examination of historic painting and gilding techniques, and comparisons with other contemporary early 16th century heraldic paint schemes at Winchester Cathedral and St George’s Chapel Windsor.

The masons and conservators have employed the latest technology with traditional conservation techniques to clean and conserve both the surviving original fabric and the work of the previous, early 20th century restoration.

The skills acquired will be of benefit to the building for years to come.

Director of The Canterbury Journey restoration and development project, Mark Hosea, said: “All of us are excited to see the scaffold being removed from Christ Church Gate for the first time in over five years to reveal the amazing restoration work that has been carried out by our skilled craftspeople and the external professional team.”

Visitors can enjoy free entry to the Cathedral and its grounds on the afternoon of Friday, December 2, to celebrate the façade being revealed.

There will be musical performances by the Cathedral’s Choral Scholars, free hire of a new media guide and the new Gregory Gargoyle Christmas Trail, with the chance to see the Christmas decorations and nativity crib.

Everyone is also welcome to attend the Choral Evensong service at 5.30pm.

Cathedral bosses say the open afternoon will be a great opportunity to discover the Cathedral’s many other expertly-restored spaces and new additions – including three exhibitions, the visitor centre, shop, and public viewing gallery - made possible by The Canterbury Journey - the ambitious multi-million pound project funded by a major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, matched by funds raised by Canterbury Cathedral Trust.

In 2012, the magnificent carved oak gates to the entrance of the Precincts were re-hung following extensive restoration.

Weighing a ton each, they were taken away by master craftsmen in York and temporarily replaced with softwood replicas covered by life-size images of the originals.

Funding came from donors via the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, who gave £250,000 towards these and other repairs to the Christ Church Gate.

They date from around 1660, the previous ones having been destroyed by the Puritans during the English Civil War.