The Spike

You'll find this small museum tucked away in Surrey, housed in what was once a Victorian workhouse - a properly sobering piece of social history. The Spike, as workhouses were brutally nicknamed, tells the story of life for the poorest in 19th-century England through exhibits, artefacts and personal accounts that really drive home how grim things were.

It's the sort of place that makes you grateful for modern welfare, to be honest. The building itself is atmospheric, and the curators have done well to bring the everyday reality of inmates to life - from the sparse dormitories to the dining hall. You're looking at maybe 90 minutes to two hours here, depending on how deep you want to go into the social history.

Families with older children and history enthusiasts will get the most from it. Younger kids might find it a bit heavy. If you're basing yourselves at Chantry Wood Campsite, just over a mile away, this makes a solid rainy-day option. It's also within striking distance of Edgeley Holiday Park and the other sites dotted around the area, making it an easy add-on to a wider Surrey break.

Best to check ahead on opening hours and admission fees before you visit - the details aren't readily available online, so a quick phone call will save you a wasted trip.