With stunning art pieces, sculptures, public works, temporary and permanent galleries and fascinating history, Coventry and Warwickshire has some of the finest museums and galleries to visit in the country. Prepare to discover a wide variety of award-winning cen-tres, visitor attractions and outstanding public galleries with something for everyone, no matter what age they are or interests they have.

Coventry's connection with the British watch making industry is not so well known, however you can discover the city's influence - which dates back to the 1680's, at the Coventry Watch Museum. The museum makes for an interesting visit with displays of clocks, watches, tools, artefacts and family history records.

Out of the city and to the south of Warwickshire, the town of Stratford-upon-Avon is synonymous with William Shakespeare.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the guardian of the world's greatest Shakespeare heritage sites, comprising Shakespeare's Birthplace, Nash's House and New Place, Hall's Croft, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's Farm. The five houses offer the opportunity to learn about the life and works of the world's greatest playwright.

Hidden away in Wellesbourne is Chedham Yard, an active prize-winning heritage centre dating from the early 19th century. The Yard is a blacksmith's and wheelwright's workshop, crammed with tools, equipment and items made on site along with the materials to make them, making it an exceptional example of a traditional rural craft-shop.

It was run by five generations of the Chedham family, and has been restored with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and BBC Restoration after it beat churches, chapels and a gallery to win the BBC Restoration Village television programme in 2006. For lovers of art from around the world, the award-winning Compton Verney is a family-friendly art gallery housed in a Grade I listed Georgian mansion, all surrounded by 120 acres of stunning 'Capability' Brown parkland.