Natural History Museum, London

A cathedral-like Victorian museum in South Kensington, with a blue whale skeleton hanging in the great Hintze Hall, dinosaurs including a moving T. rex, gemstones, meteorites and an earthquake simulator. It's a favourite with families.

Entry is free (book a free time slot at busy times). Next door are the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the world's leading museum of art and design, both also free. In winter there's an ice rink outside the museum.