The MAD Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon

Kids loved it. Spent a good hour here and then left and came back for another 40 minutes. My children (aged between 8 and 15) really enjoyed pressing all the buttons and building marble runs and playing with the cogs. This is really their sort of thing so we may have spent a lot longer here than other people and so it seemed great value for money to me. Also I second what other people have said Amazing Staff, genuinely helpful and pleasant. Lovely day.

In a world where you think you have seen it all, and entertainment is packaged and corporate, this is a breath of fresh air. It does just one thing, and does that very well: it displays working examples of artistic mechanical contraptions. If it clunks, clicks, whirrs or involves falling balls, it'll be on display somewhere. Crucially, it is well maintained and most of the exhibits work correctly. The owner is obviously passionate about the subject, rather than trying to make a profit. The well stocked gift shop is similarly focused rather than selling the usual familiar goods, and is an excellent place to buy quirky presents at what seemed to be good prices. Almost every exhibit can be operated by pressing a button, but some offer a more detailed interactive experience and the magnetic wall where you create your own marble run is irresistible. This museum is recommended for anyone with a sense of wonder, from maybe 4 years to adult.