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Drayton Manor Resort is a family theme park and zoo in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, set in the grounds of the former Drayton Manor. It has over 50 rides and attractions split into themed areas, including Adventure Cove, Vikings, Frontier Falls and Thomas Land.

Tip: Book tickets in advance online to save money, and leave time for the zoo as well as the rides.

Coventry has had three cathedrals, and you can see two of them side by side. The old St Michael's was bombed in the Coventry Blitz of 1940 and left as a ruined shell, with only its tower, spire and outer walls surviving.

Tip: Use the cathedral's digital guide to get more from the ruins and the artworks as you walk round.

Warwick Castle stands on a sandstone bluff at a bend of the River Avon. The Normans built a motte-and-bailey castle here in 1068, and it was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. The 14th-century facade facing the town is one of the best-known examples of medieval military architecture in Britain.

Tip: Pre-book online to guarantee entry; advance tickets are cheaper and include a Rainy Day Promise.

Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire is run by English Heritage, and much of it is in ruins. Its massive Norman keep dates from the 1120s, and in 1266 the castle endured one of the longest sieges in medieval English history. Later, Robert Dudley, a childhood friend of Elizabeth I, spent fortunes turning it into a showpiece mansion to impress the queen.

Tip: Climb up to the queen's apartments for views over the castle and surrounding countryside.

Twycross Zoo is a 100-acre charity-run zoo near Norton Juxta Twycross in Leicestershire. It is known as a specialist primate centre and is the only zoo in the UK to keep all four types of great ape: gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos. It also has one of the largest collections of gibbons in Europe.

Tip: Check the 'What's On' board at the entrance for the day's talk and feed times, and book tickets online ahead to save money.

Midland Air Museum, at Baginton in Warwickshire, tells the story of Britain's aviation heritage through historic aircraft and exhibits. It includes the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre, named after the local pioneer who invented the jet engine, with a dedicated section on his work alongside a collection of aero engines.

Tip: Head for the Vulcan early; visitors praise the guides who talk you through the cockpit and crew positions.

Gulliver's Land is a children's theme park resort in Milton Keynes, designed with rides and shows for ages 2 to 13. It opened in 1999 and has themed areas including Lilliput Land, Adventure Land, Discovery Bay and Toy Land. Rides range from gentle first rides to family adventures, with Western World and the JCB Zone among the highlights.

Tip: Parking is free on site. If you're coming by car, put MK15 0DT into your satnav and follow the brown signs from M1 Junction 14.

Coventry Transport Museum sits in the city centre and holds the largest collection of British-made road transport in public ownership. Cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles fill the galleries, many built in Coventry or by firms based there, including Jaguar, Triumph, Humber and Standard.

Tip: There is no parking at the museum itself. The nearest car parks are Bishop Street (CV1 1JN) and Belgrade Plaza (CV1 4AJ), or use Park & Ride.