Two major attractions in the West Midlands have recorded huge increases in the number of visitors over the past year.

The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire enjoyed a 100 per cent increase in visits.

And there has been a 70 per cent rise at the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford, near Wolverhampton.

But Britain’s most popular seaside destination has lost its long-held position as the country’s favourite free attraction.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with 5.5 million visitors, was pushed into second place for 2007 by sport and leisure complex Xscape Milton Keynes, with 6.9 million visitors. Third in the free-admission list, compiled by the VisitBritain organisation, was the British Museum with 5.4 million visitors. 

The Tower of London was the most popular paid attraction in 2007 with more than two million visits, followed by St Paul’s Cathedral (1.6 million) and Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach (1.4 million). 

Overall, the number of visits made to tourist attractions last year grew three per cent, with London attractions up five per cent. 

The region enjoying the highest rise last year was the east of England – up nine per cent after being boosted by large numbers going to River Lea Country Park and to Woburn Safari Park. But south west England attractions received one per cent fewer visits from tourists last year, despite the continuing success of such places as The Eden Project and Paignton Zoo in Devon which had 10 per cent more visits in 2007. 

Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, with 306,000 visits, had the biggest increase last year – a huge 418 per cent. 

The majority of attraction sectors grew in popularity last year, with visitor and heritage centres showing the biggest increase (12 per cent). 

The leisure and theme park sector rose three per cent, as did the museums and art galleries sector. Despite the wet summer of 2007, outdoor attractions did well last year, with country parks up eight per cent, farms and gardens up five per cent, and the wildlife attractions and zoo sector rising four per cent. 

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: “This research demonstrates the demand for all types of attractions in England, and that consumers are getting less likely to be swayed by the influence of the weather. 

“Come rain or shine our world-renowned attractions offer something for all our visitors, whatever the season. 

“Current campaigns are encouraging even more visitors to enjoy our attractions in these challenging times.”