Days out to remember.

Alton Towers Escape to the world of Alton Towers, the Staffordshire yearround destination which combines theme park thrills with unlimited family fun.

Act your shoe size, not your age, as you make it your very own must-do experience - a celebration of all things for the family.

It's a quirky world for kids, adults and thrill seekers alike, where the unexpected happens routinely.

Crawl into the new Dung Heap playground, or take a gravely spooky stroll through the new Haunted Hollow Visit Willy Wonka in his fantabulous Chocolate Factory, or be outmatched by Rita - Queen of Speed, all in the name of unadulterated fun..

Drayton Manor Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, offers a lifetime of adventures - all in just one day! New for 2009 is the stunning 4D cinema. The Curse of Skull Rock enables you to get aboard, put on your 4D glasses, hold onto your seat and watch out for the spray of the ocean as you delve into a completely new cinema experience.

Excalibur - a Dragon's Tale is an amazing trip into a medieval kingdom, where dragons and knights try to outwit each other, with surprising results! Among many other great attractions is the Pirate Adventure, which takes you through the midst of a battle on the big seas, plus the super zoo for which Drayton Manor is famous..

Tamworth Castle Tamworth Castle achieved fourth place in UKTV History's list of Britain's Best Historic Sites - the only castle to feature in the top 10 as voted for by the UK public.

Located in the centre of the Staffordshire town, the medieval motte and bailey castle, said to be haunted, has welcomed a number of royal visitors, including King Henry II, King James I and his son

Prince Charles. The ancient sand stone tower and shell wall still dominate views of the castle today.

Whilst visiting this scheduled ancient monument witness the magnificent late medieval Great Hall, grand Tudor Chambers and Victorian receptions rooms.

The castle hosts a varied and exciting events programme, an education service and is also the ideal wedding location..

Dudley Zoo & Castle Dudley Zoo & Castle has been one of the region's major attractions for decades, with an amazing gathering of animals.

The first castle at Dudley was founded by the Normans around 1071. It is a classic example of a motte and bailey castle, which during the Civil War was a Royalist stronghold, but surrendered in 1646 following the defeat of Charles I at Naseby.

This was when the keep and gate house were sleighted or pulled down, so the castle could not be used as a fortification any longer.

Each day tours are organised, when you can find out more about its history and ghostly tales in a fun and interactive way..

West Midlands Safari Park At West Midlands Safari Park the four-mile drive covers an area of more than 150 acres, which are home to a variety of exotic and unusual animals roaming the reserves.

They include rare and beautiful white tigers, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, wallabies, tigers, emus, camels, zebras, and Asian buffalos.

To ensure that there really is never a dull moment, there are a variety of live shows and attractions at timed intervals during the day.

These include Animal Encounter, Reptile Encounter, the Sealion Show and twice daily hippo feeding..

Severn Valley Railway Running through the lush countryside between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, the Severn Valley Railway is a full-size standard-gauge line having regular steam-hauled passenger trains for the benefit of visitors and enthusiasts alike. The journey is full of interest, as the route follows closely the meandering of the River Severn for most of the way. One of many highlights is the crossing of the Severn by means of the Victoria Bridge, a massive 200-foot single span structure, high above the which features in the film The Steps starring Robert Powell. There is also the chance to stop off some charming towns and villages, as historic Bewdley and Arley..

Black country living museum Discover a fascinating world when you visit Black Country Living Museum, the urban heritage park in the shadow of Dudley Castle. Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the museum, to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain. Electric tramcars and trolleybuses transport visitors back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canalside village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, practical skills and unique Black Country humour.

You can sample traditional fish and chips from the 1930s fish shop and enjoy a pint in the Bottle and Glass Inn. Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo opened in 1963 on a site in Leicestershire. Initially a comparativelymodest collection, it has grown into one of the major British zoos, attracting in excess of 450,000 visitors a year. It is famous. for its primates. Situated near the small village of Twycross, it occupiesmore than 40 acres and is set in open countryside. In 1972 the zoo became a charitable trust concentrating on conservation and education, and now takes part inmany captive breeding programmes for endangered animals. About three quarters of the animals housed at Twycross are officially classed in this category.

Ironbridge gorge museum Families visiting Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Shropshire can take part in creative, hands-on activities designed to appeal to both youngsters and adults alike. The imaginative workshops place emphasis on fun and enjoyment, but also offer a creative challenge and a chance to try new skills. Activities will vary from day to day and carry an extra charge in addition to the museum entrance fee. Attractions include Easter egg dancing and hunt the chick at Blists Hill Victorian Town and tile decoration at Jackfield Tile Museum. National sealife centre The National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham takes visitors on a spectacular undersea voyage, with more than 60 displays of freshwater and marine life, creating a wonderland for visitors of all ages. The attraction boasts an enormous one million litre ocean tank housing giant green sea turtles, black tip reef sharks and tropical reef fish. All this is in addition to dozens of other spectacular displays featuring otters, seahorses, crabs and lobsters, sharks and sting rays. Voted Aquarium of the Year and Warwickshire Family Attraction of the

Year by the Good Britain Guide 2004, the National Sealife Centre is adjacent to Birmingham's many other city centre attractions, including the canal network for leisurely cruises and walks. Coventry Transport Museum Come face to face with some of Doctor Who's mightiest foes! A myriad of Doctor Whomonsters are unveiled at Coventry Transport Museum, which is currently playing host to a major exhibition about one of television's most celebrated characters. Visitors can get up close to actual props, costumes and monsters from the hit BBC programme as they come face to face with some of Doctor Who's mightiest foes. At the heart of the birthplace of the British cycle and motor industry,

Coventry Transport Museum displays the world's largest collection of British road transport. You can celebrate 150 years of innovation and design and get up close and personal with the city's design classics that helped change the world. The Elgar Birthplace Museum The Elgar Birthplace Museum gives a fascinating insight into the life and music, family and friends, development and inspirations of Sir Edward Elgar, one of England's greatest composers. Famousformasterpiecessuchasthe Pomp and Circumstance marches, Salut d'Amour, the Enigma Variations, the cello concerto and The Dream of Gerontius, Elgar was born in a country cottagein1857.Itissetintheheartof his beloved Worcestershire countryside, with views towards the Malvern Hills. Elgar's daughter Carice setupamuseumthere,afterhisdeath in 1934. ]

With the growth of world wide interest in Elgar's music, and the addition of many more treasures to this unique collection, the museum expandedin2000bytheopeningof the Elgar Centre, providing more displayspace and better facilities for Classic Cars at Ragley Hall The Warwickshire stately home welcomes the annual Classic Car and Transport Show over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24 and 25. Over 400 vehicles will be there, including cars dating back to the 1920s, custom and kit cars, American classics, motorbikes and commercial vehicles. Amongst the marques on show will be Rolls Royce, Hillman, Rover, MG, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Lotus. Gates open 10am on both days - adult entry is pounds 8.50, children pounds 5, family tickets pounds 27.