CHOOSE THE BEST VISITOR ATTRACTION; the godiva awards 2008.

THE search is on again for the best Coventry and Warwickshire has to offer with the everpopular Lloyds TSB Godiva Awards.

Back for the fifth year, the awards recognise the best-run companies in the lifestyle, tourism and leisure industry across the region.

And Telegraph readers are being asked to vote for their favourites.

Run by destination management and promotions agency CV One, the awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony at the Belgrade Theatre, on October 16.

The public is being asked to vote for the best bar, cafe, pub, club, live venue, restaurant, shop, hotel and theatre.

And today, we look at the battle for the title of Best Visitor Attraction.

LIVING in the Heart of England provides us with numerous visitor attractions from the grandeur of castles to the local wildlife havens.

Whether you want a family day out in landscaped gardens, or a journey back in time with a trip to a museum, Coventry and Warwickshire has everything right on its doorstep.

Every age and each individual taste is catered for, with attractions that see visitors travelling from all over the world.

Mick McLaughlin, marketing and communications manager for CV One, said: "There's a huge selection of unique and exciting visitor attractions all over Coventry and Warwickshire.

"We are really lucky and have something for everyone, whether it be action and adventure days out to soaking up heritage and culture.

"Every vote counts so make sure you show your support for your favourite attraction."

And now readers are being urged to recall some of their favourite memories and vote for the Best Visitor Attraction from across the region.

Last year's winner was Compton Verney, an art gallery set in a magnificent Robert Adam mansion which is home to a permanent art collection as well as temporary exhibitions of historic and contemporary art.

But hoping to steal the title this year is the Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery, set in the beautifully landscaped Riversley Park, in Coton Road.

Battles rage about the true home of George Eliot, but what is not in dispute is that Nuneaton - more than any other British town or city - has taken her to its heart and invested in infrastructure to bring the Eliot story to life.

The crowning jewel of that investment is the intimate Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery.

Here you will find a recreation of the drawing room of George Eliot's London home, The Priory, and a perfectly formed Eliot memorabilia collection, both on permanent display.

This would be enough to recommend the museum but it's just the beginning of a story that delivers some wonderful paintings - including the astonishing Before the Deluge by Roelandt.

There is also an ongoing, often quirky, series of themed exhibitions and events, of which the 70s expo later this year is sure to prove as good as its 60s counterpart in 2004.

This is a real museum, public facing and accountable, run by people that are friendly and who care. Enthusiasm is the standard not the exception and the experience is an interesting and evocative one.

Catherine Nisbet, senior museum officer, said: "Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery is known for its friendly welcome and lively programme.

"The museum boasts over 20 temporary exhibitions each year showcasing not only local talent but the cream of creativity available through shows such as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year which lands on site in late September.

"Added to this fantastic range of exhibitions are monthly family events where children of all ages can meet characters from the past, enjoy performances or try out some art for themselves.

"Free children's activities during the school holidays help to ensure that both busy parents and bored kids enjoy dropping in.

"Once they've taken part in the day's activity there is still quizzes, dressing up, brass rubbing and putting on a puppet show to squeeze into the visit.

"We may not be the largest or flashiest gallery but we are the liveliest."

Some of the other venues in the line-up for Best Visitor Attraction are: Hatton Country World, in Hatton House, Warwick: It is hard to imagine a better attraction for capturing the spirit of the countryside.

It's difficult to think of a day out that comes close to offering Hatton Country World's mix of shopping, animals, crafts, food and antiques. And it's this eclectic mix - one that promises to entertain people of every age, young and old - that draws people from across the region and nationally.

Parsonage Heritage Centre, All Saints Square, in Bedworth: The parsonage project heritage centre is situated in the cellar of what was the town's parsonage.

It opened in 2000 and attracts 4,500 visitors each year. There are three exhibitions annually which reflect on different aspects of Bedworth's history and life in the town.

Kenilworth Castle, Castle Green, in Kenilworth: Majestic and magnificent, Kenilworth Castle has a strong claim to being the most atmospheric of England's great ruined castles - and it is certainly one of the largest and most impressive. A vast complex of ruined fortifications and palatial apartments spanning over five centuries, Kenilworth Castle also has breathtaking views and the fabulous Millennium trail from the castle to The Pleasaunce just calls out for a day trip and during the summer the castle tea room serves fabulous afternoon treats.

Stratford Butterfly Farm, Swans Nest Lane, in Stratford: Wander through a tropical rainforest where multicoloured butterflies and hummingbirds sip nectar from exotic blossoms.

Stroll past bubbling streams and splashing waterfalls and feed the Koi carp.

Coventry Transport Museum (pictured right), in Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry: Coventry is the birthplace of the British cycle and motor industry and the Transport Museum displays the world's largest collection of British road transport, including 240 cars, commercial vehicles and buses, 100 motorcycles, more than 200 cycles and around a million archive and ephemera items.

How to vote...

VOTES are collected via the Godiva Awards website, comment slips and newspaper comment forms. On the website www.godivaawards.com

Click the vote button next to your favourite venue. Then fill out the form with your name and e-mail address if you would like to be entered in the Lloyds TSB Commercial prize draw. If you just want to vote, then simply click the Vote Now button and your details will not be kept for the prize draw.

Comment slips

Many of the venues taking part will have comment slips and ballot boxes. You can fill these in adding comments and then put the slip into the box.

The Telegraph

There will be regular features on the awards in editions of the Telegraph, Bedworth Echo, The Tribune, Warwick Times, Leamington Times and Rugby Times. This will include the opportunity to vote via a comment form in the newspaper.

Again these entries will go into the prize draw for a pounds 1,000 cheque from Lloyds TSB.

Deadlines

Website voting will close at midnight on September 22, 2008.

All other votes must be received by midnight on October 13, 2008.

Venues must return comment slips to: Godiva Awards, CVOne Ltd, 1 Castle Yard, Off Hay Lane, Coventry CV1 5RF.

CAPTION(S):

THE GEORGE ELIOT STORY... Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery (above), set in the beautifully landscaped Riversley Park, is a popular choice with many visitors. Another big tourist attraction is Compton Verney (left), a grade 1-listed mansion house designed by Robert Adam in the 1760s. It is set in more than 120 acres of classical parkland landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.; HISTORIC... Majestic and magnificent, Kenilworth Castle has a strong claim to being the most atmospheric of England's great ruined castles and is a huge draw for visitors of all ages. The children will love Stratford Butterfly Farm (below) where visitors can wander through a tropical rainforest.