Diesel's Locomotion Mayhem

A life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine character sprawled across a stretch of Warwickshire countryside - that's Diesel's Locomotion Mayhem, and it's exactly as gloriously daft as it sounds. Located near Atherstone, this roadside attraction is pure nostalgia bait for anyone who grew up watching the railways of Sodor unfold on screen, or who's now desperately trying to keep their own kids entertained during a Midlands road trip.

The appeal is straightforward: you pull up, spot Diesel looking suitably dramatic in his metal form, take the obligatory photo, and move on. It's the sort of thing that takes fifteen minutes maximum, which is actually perfect. Kids aged three to eight will lose their minds. Older children and adults tend to smirk, snap a pic for Instagram, and head off again. There's no queue, no admission fee that I'm aware of, and no pretence about what you're getting - just a cheerful bit of trackside kitsch.

If you're camping at nearby Nightingales Rustic Camping and fancy a morning outing without dragging the family round another heritage railway or museum, this does the job. It's the kind of stop that breaks up a drive without eating into proper holiday time. The Warwickshire countryside around Atherstone is pleasant enough for a stretch of the legs, though the attraction itself isn't going to keep you there long. Worth five minutes if you're passing. Don't plan a trip around it.