Hackney Museum

The building itself gives nothing away - a converted Victorian stable block on Reading Lane that you could easily walk past without a second glance. Inside, though, Hackney Museum pulls together four centuries of local history in a way that actually makes you care about a corner of East London you might have ignored before.

You'll find Roman finds from the area, medieval pottery, and plenty on the 17th-century connections to Caribbean trade - the sort of stuff that explains how Hackney became what it is today. The Hackney Empire theatre gets a decent showing, as does the area's textile and manufacturing past. It's small enough that you won't need more than an hour and a half, which means it works well as a morning stop rather than a full afternoon commitment.

Families with kids over about nine will find something to grip them, particularly the interactive bits. Younger children might lose interest quickly - it's not a hands-on play space. Local history buffs, though, will appreciate the depth here. There's proper attention paid to the Caribbean community's role in post-war Hackney, which you don't always find in these smaller museums.

It's free, which removes any sting from a slightly quiet day. Thursday evenings stay open until 8pm if you're in the area after work. Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park over in Edmonton is close enough for a base if you're planning a longer stay, though it's a bit of a trek from Hackney itself. Combine this with a walk around the canal or a pint in one of the independent pubs and you've got a solid afternoon.