LONDON.- Cutty Sark welcomed its 100,000th visitor since re-opening to the public this spring after an extensive six-year conservation project. The ship, which was re-opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 25 April, has proved to be a huge hit with the public. The impressive visitor milestone was reached in less than three months, far exceeding the projected figures. The mix of international and UK visitors reflects Cutty Sark’s wide appeal, with people coming from as far afield as Australia and China to see the world famous tea clipper.

Richard Doughty, Director of Cutty Sark, said: ‘It’s fantastic that we have managed to reach 100,000 visitors in such a short space of time, it truly shows the enduring popularity of such an iconic ship. Cutty Sark is a real survivor and has always held a special place in the hearts of the public. This is an exciting new chapter for one of the world’s best loved vessels and we hope she continues to attract visitors from around the globe to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.’

He added: ‘Lifting Cutty Sark over three metres into the air was one of the most challenging aspects of the project and it is incredibly rewarding to see the reactions of visitors walking underneath the 980-ton ship for the first time – it’s a spectacular experience and allows you to see the elegant lines of her hull which enabled her to make record-breaking voyages. We are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved here.’

The ship is now open seven days a week, and over the summer months it closes at the later time of 18.00. During the London 2012 Olympic Games revised opening hours will be in operation, full details can be found at www.rmg.co.uk/olympics.

Cutty Sark has also introduced a programme of family events throughout the year which have been proving popular both with local families and tourists. So far over 1000 people have joined in with activities including knot tying with local Sea Cadets, storytelling, and figurehead-making workshops.