The British Museum

The British Museum in Bloomsbury is one of the world's great museums and one of London's most visited family attractions, and the fact that it's completely free makes it an extraordinary gift for families. The collection spans nearly three million objects covering human history and culture from every corner of the globe. For families with children, the strategic approach is to pick a few headline galleries rather than attempting the whole museum in one visit.

The Egyptian galleries are an unmissable starting point — ancient mummies, enormous stone statues, intricate jewellery, and the Rosetta Stone all in one wing. The Lewis Chessmen — medieval chess pieces with expressive carved faces — are popular with children who've seen the Harry Potter films where they appear. Room 33 houses the Sutton Hoo helmet, one of the most dramatic objects in the entire collection.

Family activity trails are available free at the information desks and keep younger children focused as they move between galleries. The famous Great Court — with its spectacular glass-and-steel roof — is itself worth experiencing and makes the museum feel architecturally astonishing from the moment you enter. Pre-booking timed entry tickets on the website during summer and school holidays is strongly recommended to avoid queues at the door.