Crick Scarecrow festival parking

The Crick Scarecrow Festival transforms this village near Lutterworth into something genuinely odd and rather brilliant. Every summer, locals and visitors descend to see what creative horrors the residents have conjured up - life-sized figures dressed as celebrities, film characters, or just plain bonkers interpretations of the theme that year. It's the sort of thing that sounds twee on paper but actually delivers proper entertainment, especially if you've got kids who find scarecrows either hilarious or mildly terrifying.

Parking is straightforward - there's a designated festival car park which makes navigating Crick's narrow lanes a doddle, and everything is walkable once you've got your spot. You'll need a couple of hours to do it justice, wandering round and spotting all the displays scattered through the village. Most of it's free to enjoy, though there's usually a charity angle and perhaps a small fee if you want tea and cakes from the village hall.

Timing matters. Go midweek if you can stomach crowds, or early morning at weekends. The event runs for just a few weeks in summer, so check dates before you travel. If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Manor Farm or Caravan Park at Stanford Hall are both close - it's an easy half-day venture that breaks up a quieter holiday. Not world-changing, but proper fun, and the creativity on display often surprises you.