A short drive from Birmingham's city centre, the Drayton Manor Theme Park offers an exhilarating alternative to shopping and sightseeing. Loaded with more than 50 rides offering high-octane thrills, the English media has lauded the park as having 'Britain's scariest rides'. Visitors can drop 177 feet (54m) from the world's first stand-up tower, take a watery plunge in a rescue boat down a slippery 180º platform, fly around one of the parks two swirling rollercoasters, or tackle the rapids with friends at Splash Canyon. Family fun at Drayton Manor Theme Park has not been short-circuited either, as a wide variety of child-friendly rides are provided. The brand-new Thomas Land area (based on Thomas the Tank Engine) is already proving wildly popular amongst younger visitors.

Address: Near Tamworthon on A4091, close to Junctions 9 and 10 of the M42

Website: www.draytonmanor.co.uk

Telephone: 0844 472 1950

Transport: Taxis available from Tamworth Train Station, located about 3 miles (5km) from Drayton Manor Theme Park

Opening times: Opening times vary according to the season: check the website for details. In high season (April to October), the park opens at 9.30am and closes at 5pm.

Admission: High season prices: £32 (adults), £25 (children). Note that tickets are cheaper if you book them online