China Clay Shapes up for Coaches.

Following completion of a million pound new visitor centre, licensed café and gift shop, opened by H.R.H the Duchess of Gloucester in 2006, Cornwall’s China Clay Country Park is going all out to attract an increased share of the Coach market for visitor attractions in the South West.

The unique Museum and Heritage Centre set in 26 Acres of woodland in the historic Ruddle Valley boasts the only visitor platform over a working clay pit, interactive displays, a preserved Victorian clay works, vintage vehicles & locomotives and the promise of a day of discovery and adventure for all the family.

Special coach packages for the remainder of 2007 and throughout 2008 include free guided tours, half price group entry rates as well as a 2-for-1 free cream tea, saving £4.

Coach drivers have not been forgotten either with incentives on offer of £10 cash (20 pax min), £5 lunch /tea voucher as well as commission on gift shop sales.

Marketing Officer, Chris Carroll has launched the campaign because of what he believes has been  steadily declining coach visitor numbers following the opening of Eden just a few miles up the road from them as well more and more tourist competition in Cornwall.

“Our customer surveys clearly tell us we have a great product that visitors find fascinating, enjoyable and good value for money. Many even tell us they prefer us to Eden. But we need to repromote ourselves to coach operators and drivers to hopefully either include us on their Eden itinerary or come to us instead as a change. I firmly believe that coach operators having visited us will want to come back time and time again”, said Chris.

The China Clay Country Park is open all year from 10am to 6pm in the summer and 10 to 4pm in the winter. Coach Drivers should allow for a minimum of 2 hours for the visit. There is an extensive hard standing coach/car park as well as disabled wheelchair access.