British Museum: located on the edge of Covent Garden, this huge museum receives regular accolades for its extensive cultural treasures and for the recent renovations. The initial collection was bequeathed by Sir Hans Sloane, a wealthy Chelsea doctor in 1753. It has grown significantly over the years and now includes the largest collection of Egyptian material outside of Cairo as well as the wonderful Elgin Marbles and Tomb of Payava.

The African collection contains over 200,000 pieces, although only a fraction of these can be displayed at any one time. Make sure you visit the beautiful reading room, where Karl Marx plotted his campaign to bring down capitalism.
Great Russell Street. Open 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday and 14:30 to 18:00, Sunday.

Science Museum: another large museum with more than 300,000 exhibits spread over several floors. The collection includes famous items such as the Apollo10 Command module, the first jet engine, a working example of Charles Babbage's Difference engine and Stephenson's Rocket. The recently added IMAX Cinema shows science and nature documentaries.
Exhibition Road. Open 10:00 to 18:00, daily.

Natural History Museum: is famous for its displays of dinosaur skeletons which include life size moving replicas. The five main collections featured are Zoology, Mineralogy, Botany, Entomology and Palaeontology. The kids will love the opportunity to touch and discover the displays for themselves as well as to experience the earthquake simulator. The museum is housed in a stunning building, often referred to as a ‘cathedral of nature’ with its vaulted central hall and ornate details.
Cromwell Road. Open: 10:00 to 17:50, Monday to Saturday and 11:00 to 17:50, Sunday.