On May 26 CPT presented The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art in Newmarket with its prestigious Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction status.
The status, launched in 2016 and complementing CPT’s long-standing Coach Friendly Towns, Cities & Villages accolade, recognises and rewards visitor attractions across the country that go the extra mile to welcome and accommodate coaches, drivers and their passengers.
Opened in November 2016 by Her Majesty the Queen, the Heritage Centre comprises The National Horseracing Museum, a national gallery of British Sporting Art and the Rothschild Yard where visitors can meet real horses and observe the retraining of racehorses.
Coaches and groups visiting The National Heritage Centre can use free onsite secure parking when pre-booking and step-free access to the attractions, with drivers receiving a complimentary refreshment voucher for use in the main restaurant.
Speaking at the presentation, Simon Smith, CPT’s Coaching and Tourism Executive, said: “I am delighted to present The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art with CPT’s Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction status. They are the first attraction in East Anglia to receive this well-respected industry title.
“The Centre clearly recognises the importance and value of coaches and passengers to their businesses and they have gone to great lengths to make sure that all visitors experience a warm and easy hassle-free welcome.”
Ami Cosgrave from The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art said: “We are delighted to receive this award from CPT which highlights our attraction to groups and in particular coaches. Our purpose-built coach park is a fantastic addition to our facilities and we look forward to welcoming more groups and coaches in the future.”
Andy Warrender, CPT’s Coaching and Tourism Manager, added: “Since being launched early last year, our Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction status has proved extremely popular with both attractions and coach operators, with 12 locations having already received the title.
“The presentation to Newmarket follows hot on the heels of the Arcelormittal Orbit in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway in Hampshire, which recently became the first attractions in CPT’s London & South East region to hold the Coach Friendly status.”
Simon Smith commented: “At a time when road space and parking in the London and the south east is at an absolute premium, it is great to see major tourist attractions providing suitable parking and set-down/pick-up facilities for larger groups and coach parties.
“The Arcelormittal Orbit offers parking for up to 20 coaches and three set-down bays adjacent to the Park, and Exbury Gardens has a free coach park which can accommodate up to 25 vehicles.”
