Banish Bank Holiday blues

It's Bank Holiday time again, and families throughout the land are looking at each other and saying: "Shall we? Shall we go for a drive? Shall we get stuck in a traffic jam again looking for that extra special Bank Holiday outing?" Yes, go on, do it! And take this list of special Bank Holiday attractions with you. Each one a winner ...

It's Bank Holiday time again, and families throughout the land are looking at each other and saying: "Shall we? Shall we go for a drive? Shall we get stuck in a traffic jam again looking for that extra special Bank Holiday outing?" Yes, go on, do it! And take this list of special Bank Holiday attractions with you. Each one a winner ...

Poacherland

Believed to be the only open-air museum in Britain devoted to the art and history of trespassing, Poacherland (near Diss) gives you the virtual reality thrill of taking pheasants, being shot at by gamekeepers, etc, etc. And have you ever wondered if you could fight your way out of a man-trap which had closed sickeningly on your leg? Now you can find out!

The Old Rectory, Worlingham

There are many old rectories in the country, but this is probably the only one which still has an old rector in residence. People flock from miles around to watch the Rev Peter Flunkett in action, dispensing good advice, listening to people's problems, preparing his sermon and having a recurrent crisis of faith.

"It's the crisis of faith that brings them in, to be frank," says the old rector's wife, Mrs Flunkett. "People love to see him wrestling with his conscience. They take sides. Some cheer him on and others boo him. Sometimes general fighting breaks out. Often people get badly hurt. It's what brings religion alive for Peter."

Ashtray World

The finest collection of ashtrays in the world is reckoned to be on display at Ashtray World, a converted warehouse near Northampton. When he was a teenager, owner Basil Quiver was fascinated by an ashtray in the shape of a swimming pool, where you laid your lit cigarette on the diving board. He started collecting ashtrays, and now has nearly five thousand. The biggest is in the shape of Harrods and the smallest is a ring ashtray which you actually wear on your little finger. Smoking allowed in all parts of the museum.

Murder Mystery Weekend

The Nottinghamshire police have decided to capitalise on their soaring murder rate, and turn it into a tourist attraction. In their advertised Murder Mystery Weekend, all murders are guaranteed genuine, and your collaboration in solving them is welcomed. Really welcomed.

Washing Up World

Before people had dishwashers, how did they wash up? All right, they had servants, but before they had servants? Before detergents had been invented? All the answers are here at Washing Up World, on the seafront at Eastbourne! Get your hands stuck into a old-fashioned bowl full of suds and Edwardian crockery, and feel the years roll back...

The Visitor Centre Experience

Visitor centres have been with us for decades now - they're the building you visit when there's not really anything else worth seeing on the premises. But where did visitor centres start? What were the early ones like? How have they evolved over the years? The Visitor Centre Experience (between Coventry and Warwick ) traces the complete history of visitor centres. Gift shop, visitor centre souvenirs etc.

Medieval Disease Display

Just as the Sealed Knot recreates ancient battle scenes, so the lesser-known group called the Sealed Flask brings forgotten plagues and diseases back to life. Nobody who has ever seen their Black Death re-enactment will ever forget it, or indeed sleep easy again. This weekend they are on tour in villages in the Midlands with their leprosy demonstration. Highly contagious.

Glow-worm Land

Rare breeds farms, butterfly farms, aviaries - all these we are used to, but a glow-worm farm? This, near Exeter, is the first of its kind. It is housed in a a large converted stable and is lit entirely by its occupants. Money back guarantee if glow-worms asleep.