Cromwell Museum

Oliver Cromwell's house in Huntingdon is where the English Civil War's most controversial figure spent his childhood and early adult years. The museum occupies a rather ordinary-looking Tudor building on the high street - you'll walk past it without a second glance if you're not paying attention. Inside, though, it's surprisingly absorbing if you're into 17th-century politics or the Civil War itself.

You get the usual museum fare: period furnishings, correspondence, weaponry, and portraits that attempt to untangle Cromwell's legacy. Some visitors find it genuinely moving; others think it's a bit thin on content for the admission fee. The house itself matters more than what's in it - standing where he actually stood does something most textbooks can't.

History enthusiasts will get the most from a visit. Kids under ten tend to lose interest within thirty minutes unless they're particularly keen on soldiers and muskets. Huntingdon itself is a pleasant enough market town for an afternoon potter, with the River Great Ouse running through it, so you can combine this with a walk or a pub lunch.

The museum sits well within reach of several caravan parks - Huntingdon Boathaven is barely half a mile away, while Wyton Lakes and Waterclose Meadows are both under three miles. Grafham Water, about five miles east, offers water-based activities if you want something livelier. Check ahead for opening hours and prices; they're not always obvious from the road.