The National Trust is opening a £5m exhibition and visitor centre at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

The attraction, set to open on March 13, will give the public better access to one of Britain's most important archaeological sites and bring Anglo-Saxon warrior culture to life.

Artefacts including a warrior's helmet, sword and shield, and a gold and garnet belt have been discovered at the burial ground of Anglo-Saxon pagan kings during excavations since 1938. Many of the artefacts were buried in the remains of a 90ft ship.

The exhibition centre will include a full size replica of the ship's burial chamber and its treasures. A treasury will exhibit genuine artefacts found at the site, most of which have been at the British Museum since their discovery. An audio-visual theatre will show films designed to take visitors back in time to the world of Anglo-Saxon warrior kings.

A new viewing platform means there is improved access to the burial mound gravefields. There is an education centre in the renovated Tranmer House, a restaurant, and three holiday apartments.

The National Trust received £3.6m towards the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund, plus further funding from Suffolk County Council and the East of England Development Agency.