London Transport Museum

The old Covent Garden flower market building now houses one of those museums that makes you realize how much you've taken the bus for granted. The London Transport Museum is proper fascinating if you care about how cities actually work - and even if you don't, the vintage posters and old Tube trains are worth the visit alone.

You're walking through galleries packed with everything from Routemaster buses to Underground signage spanning a century or more. The interactive bits let you have a go at operating a real Tube train simulator, which sounds gimmicky but genuinely grips both kids and adults. The design section is excellent - all those iconic maps and station tiles that have become visual shorthand for London itself.

It's best suited to anyone interested in transport, urban design, or just how cities function. Children will get the most out of the hands-on exhibits; pure history enthusiasts might find themselves lingering longer than expected. Reckon on two to three hours minimum if you're not rushing.

The Covent Garden location is brilliant for combining with other West End visits. If you're staying at Lovat Parks, just 1.7 miles away, it's a straightforward jaunt into central London. Admission isn't free but rarely costs more than other London museums. Go on a weekday morning if you can - weekends get rammed with school groups.