Chatsworth chosen as ‘UK coach destination of the year’

Emma Handley & Harriet receive UK Coach Award April13

The UK coach industry has awarded Chatsworth its highest accolade by naming the Peak District country estate as ‘UK coach destination of the year’.

At the UK Coach Awards on Saturday 20 April, Chatsworth won the award for ‘Most coach friendly historic attraction’. As one of four category winners for coach-friendliness amongst local authorities, historic attractions, visitor attractions and shopping attractions, Chatsworth was put forward for the overall award.

Chatsworth was chosen as the ‘UK Coach Destination of the Year’ for offering the warmest welcome to coaches and their passengers. The estate’s efforts to accommodate group travel greatly impressed the judges who noted a popular meet and greet service; a high quality welcome for coach drivers; and a high standard of catering amongst the factors in their decision.

Paul Hayes, Visitor Services Manager at Chatsworth said: “We make a lot of effort with coach parties including both a welcome and farewell talk from our team, great group deals, free parking, special tours and a lot more so we’re delighted to have been recognised with this award.

“We don’t forget the drivers either. They are made very welcome in a dedicated rest-room equipped with comfortable seating and television. Every coach driver is given a voucher for food during their visit and they get free admission to the house and garden.”

Held at Alton Towers resort and hosted by BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood, the awards were presented by Malcolm Robson, President of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, in front of more than 300 key players in the coaching and coach tourism industry.

The UK Coach Awards are designed to recognise and reward quality and success in the UK coach and coach tourism industry. Coach companies are asked to nominate attractions, local authorities and industry suppliers as well as service providers and manufacturers.

The awards are owned and run by the UK Coach Awards Limited. This is an independent not-for-dividend company especially set up to own and run the awards for the benefit of the coaching and coach tourism industry.