Visitor boom at tourist hotspots

The school holiday last week saw more budget-conscious families than ever dropping in to their local galleries, museums and parks, many of which offer free or discounted activities. At the Black Country Living Museum visitor numbers were up by 29 per cent.

Marketing manager Emma Middleton said today: "We are very pleased. With all the new attractions and exhibitions at the museum this year we are hopeful the good visitor numbers will continue."

The award-winning Museum of Cannock Chase attracted 822 visitors, an average of 164 each day this half term. In the February break of 2008, the museum was closed for refurbishment, but employees say the week this year was a particularly busy one. Councillor Neil Stanley, Cannock Chase council leader, said: "There was so much going on for children and their parents, with the Carry On Punch & Judy exhibition as well as the permanent display proving hugely popular."

The Shugborough Estate, on the outskirts of Stafford, opened up at half term for the first time this year. Spokeswoman Corrine Caddy said today: "It exceeded all our expectations. We had well over 1,000 visitors and we were only open Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery in Lichfield Street saw an 18 per cent increase on last half-term's figures. Last year's half term attracted 4,233 people while this month has seen 4,997 children and adults walk through the doors.

Gallery participation officer Kate Spragg said: "The activities really captured the imagination of the children and because they were free, it was a cost effective day out for the whole family."

Meanwhile, Bilston Craft Gallery had 544 visitors this year, topping last year's total of 351. Exhibitions officer Val Plummer said: "We run children's workshops every year and they are getting more and more popular, so much so that we are hoping to increase them."

Bantock House and Park added to Wolverhampton's run of success as 2009 saw 1,018 people compared to last year's 893. Curator Helen Steatham said: "We are well-known for running activities for children and they are becoming more popular.

"We try to think of ourselves as being a local family venue and always aim our holiday workshops at a family audience."

Dudley Zoo had a bumper week with 7,000 visitors pouring through the gates. Last year the attraction pulled in 8,000 visitors but zoo bosses said the 2008 February half term had been a "freak week" due to warm weather.

Chief executive Peter Suddock said: "Last year it was extremely warm but considering the miserable weather at the start of the week the numbers are great," he said.

At Birmingham's Cadbury World, marketing manager Neil Anderson said: "Half-term week was one of the best-ever weeks at Cadbury World. Our performance to date however, is 15 per cent up year on year."

Over in Walsall, the town's Leather Museum also enjoyed a busy half-term holiday as more than 750 people paid a trip to the Littleton Street West attraction.

At Walsall's New Art Gallery, visitor figures were up on the same period last year. Chris Wilkinson, marketing assistant, said: "The visitor figures during half term this year were approximately 1,300 which is an increase from last year. Due to demand last year, we extended the number of workshops each day."

Alton Towers spokeswoman Carla Ballone said there visitor numbers were also up. Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire opened its popular new Thomas Land attraction to schoolchildren enjoying a week off. Drayton Manor will open for its 2009 season on March 21.