Horniman Museum and Gardens

The Horniman sits on a proper hill in Forest Hill, South London, and the view across the city from the gardens alone makes the trip worthwhile. Inside, it's one of those wonderfully rambling Victorian museums that feels like someone's obsessive collection rather than a corporate machine - natural history, musical instruments, world cultures all jumbled together in the best possible way.

You'll find Egyptian mummies, African masks, a stuffed walrus that looks absolutely furious, and genuinely brilliant interactive bits that keep kids entertained without being patronising. The aquarium downstairs is small but absorbing - proper tropical fish in actual tanks, not screens. Allow two to three hours if you're taking your time; less if you're just dipping in.

It's free entry, which is remarkable for London these days. The gardens are terraced and tree-lined, with a small animal enclosure and enough space to sprawl on grass in summer. Not groundbreaking horticulturally, but lovely for letting kids run about between museum visits.

For a park holiday based near Lovat Parks, the Horniman works as a rainy-day rescue or a proper half-day out. It's South London though - not the quickest from some locations - so check you've got decent travel time. The museum's a bit old-school in its presentation, which is either its greatest strength or a bit dated depending on what you're after. Real value for a free afternoon.