Drayton Manor Resort

You'll spend a proper full day here, and that's before lunch. Drayton Manor is a mid-sized theme park just outside Atherstone in Warwickshire, with the kind of rides that appeal to families rather than adrenaline junkies chasing the next loop-the-loop. There's Thomas Land for the under-eights - genuinely popular with that crowd - plus coasters like Shockwave that adults won't be embarrassed to queue for.

The park's strength is that it doesn't pretend to be Alton Towers. The grounds are pleasant to walk around, there's a zoo section which breaks up the ride-focused bits nicely, and the whole thing feels manageable in a day without the soul-destroying crowds you get at bigger attractions. Expect to pay for entry - it's not free - but day rates are reasonable if you book ahead online.

Bring sensible shoes. You'll cover miles. If you've got kids aged 3-10, this is genuinely worth your time. Teenagers might find it a touch tame unless they're still at the age where they enjoy a day out with the family without rolling their eyes the entire time.

For a proper break from theme park life, Nightingales Rustic Camping sits just 6 miles away - proper camping rather than static caravans, which suits the crowd who want something low-key after a day of queuing for rides. Allow a full day minimum here, longer if you've got young kids who want to do everything twice.