Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark sits on the Thames at Greenwich like a frozen moment of maritime history - all black hull and towering masts against the London skyline. This is the actual ship, not a replica, launched in 1869 as a tea clipper and later a wool trader. You can walk the decks, climb into the rigging, and get a proper sense of what life was like for the crew in those cramped quarters below. The ship's been through quite a lot - a serious fire in 2014 nearly finished her off, but the restoration was thorough. Now you get the whole experience: the captain's quarters are surprisingly comfortable, the hold tells you how cargo was packed in, and the figurehead still commands attention from the bow.

Walkers and maritime enthusiasts will spend a good two hours here easily, though you can do it quicker if you're just after the main deck and a photo. Families with older kids get the most from it - under-eights might find the confined spaces a bit much. It's free to look at the ship from the outside and wander the Greenwich waterfront, but there's a charge if you want inside. The location is proper brilliant for a longer day out: Greenwich Park is right there for open space, the National Maritime Museum is adjacent, and there's decent enough cafes dotted about. If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping or Lovat Parks, you're close enough for an easy morning or afternoon trip, and it breaks up a park holiday nicely without feeling like you've abandoned the leisure side of things.