Milton Keynes Museum

The Milton Keynes Museum sits in Wolverton, just outside the town centre, and tells the story of how this designated new town transformed from agricultural land into a modern city. Inside you'll find everything from Victorian domestic life to exhibits on the town's planned development - loads of local history that actually makes sense when you're staying in the area.

It's genuinely worth a couple of hours, especially if you're curious about post-war Britain and urban planning. The museum doesn't pretend to be flashy, but the collections are well-organised and the staff know their stuff. Kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already interested in history, though the hands-on sections help keep them engaged.

The beauty of visiting when you're based at one of the nearby parks - Cosgrove Park is practically on the doorstep at just two miles away - is that it fills a rainy afternoon brilliantly. Gullivers Campsite, rated highly at 4.2 stars, is only three miles out, so you won't waste time travelling. You can combine it with a walk around Milton Keynes' network of parks and waterways, which are genuinely pleasant if you ignore the architecture snobs who dismiss the whole town.

Check ahead for opening times and admission fees before you visit - the museum can be a bit quiet midweek, so ringing first saves a wasted journey. Allow two to three hours if you're actually reading things rather than just browsing.