Suggestions for weekend away with DS1 (7.5yo)

[ContessaIsOnADietDammit]

I have 2 DC, both boys, aged 7.5 and 6. I seem to spend most of my life scolding DS1 for various unprompted offences (rudeness, shouting, badgering his brother) but he and I were away once with my sister for a family errand and it was like he was a different child; we got on so well and there was no acrimony at all. I want more of that

Any suggestions for a destination for a weekend trip away, just me and a 7.5 yo who's very active? I don't foresee museums being of much interest, sadly. We are based in the south, just west of London.

Thanks!

I am considering the horrible histories maze at Warwick castle. Big site so space to run about and make noise. Could combine with a hotel with pool for additional "bonding plus wearing child out" aka swimming?! The ultimate treat if we go away seems to be "chips in bed" (room service)

My DC hate it, but friends' DC love Go Ape...

Something where you are working as a team is good, like a scavenger hunt or solving clues in a trail?

What about going further south to Dorset area?
There's tower parks with the swimming pool, cinema eateries etc as well as mikes and mikes of walks to be done in beaches and over cliffs.
Swanage railway is a hit with train mad boys too.
So easy to get either a hotel in chain or a indi. B and B in that area for a night or 2.

My southern England geography is terrible but if Milton Keynes is near enough I would go to Gullivers (world, kingdom or whatever its called down there).

What about Portsmouth? The naval dockyard is great, it's not like a regular museum. There's also an aquarium, Spinnaker tower and lots of open space to run around in. Would he like a boat trip? You could go on the Gosport Ferry, either just for the ride or to visit the submarine museum/ice rink. There should be lots to do for a weekend.

Warwick castle is much loved by my children and if you book to stay in the knights village it's lovely/something different and the evening entertainment is great.
Further away Cornwall is great if you think he'd like the Eden project/surfing etc.

Some great ideas here, thank you! I like the idea of the knight's village, that sounds cool also Portsmouth is within reach for us so might be an option.

I'm trying to get him to provide ideas but he's all 'Chessington! Alton Towers! Thorpe Park!' and his brother would actually die of the misery if we went to such places without him