COVENTRY, June 27 — The shift in family days out is happening right now, and it’s being tracked by the Muddy Stilettos Awards. The lifestyle publication has named its 2026 winners for the ‘best family experiences’ across the Midlands, and the list reads like a treasure map for parents who are tired of the same old playgrounds. This isn’t about soft play centres.
The winners, reported by Birmingham Live, are venues that transform ordinary outings into memorable adventures. Ten locations made the cut, spanning museums, historic castles, and even a butterfly farm.
The top spot went to the British Motor Museum in Warwick. Close behind is Compton Verney, also in Warwick. But the list stretches further, pulling in places like Hatton Country World in Hatton, and the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum right here in Coventry.
History buffs get a nod with Kenilworth Castle, near Coventry, and Warwick Castle itself. For something seasonal, the Lichfield Maize Maze in Lichfield made the list.
Ragley Hall in Alcester is another standout. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm offers a quieter kind of adventure, while Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum rounds out the top ten with its hands-on science exhibits. What’s changing here is the definition of “family-friendly.” These aren’t just places that tolerate children.
They’re designed to engage both parents and youngsters simultaneously. The Muddy Stilettos Awards have essentially crowdsourced a hit list for anyone planning a summer day out in Warwickshire and the wider Midlands region. Watch this space for more local winners as the summer season kicks into gear.
The trend underneath is clear: families are voting with their feet for experiences that blend education, history, and genuine fun. The British Motor Museum’s win signals a particular appetite for heritage and engineering, but the diversity of the list—from a maize maze to a science museum—shows there’s no single formula.
