National Maritime Museum

The Thames runs right past this place in Greenwich, and you'll understand why naval history matters the moment you walk in. The National Maritime Museum is vast - three floors of ship models, charts, weapons, and the kind of obsessive detail that only makes sense once you realise Britain's entire story is written in water.

It's free, which helps when you've got kids who might spend twenty minutes staring at one cutaway of a 18th-century frigate and then lose interest entirely. That's the thing about maritime museums - they're brilliant for actual enthusiasts and death-dull for everyone else. If your lot are into boats, naval history, or fancy themselves explorers, you could easily spend three hours here. Otherwise, pick the highlights and move on.

The Greenwich setting is proper lovely. You're minutes from the Cutty Sark, the Observatory, and the Thames Path. If you're glamping at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom - which is only a short drive away - this works as a solid half-day when the weather turns. The museum itself stays open reasonably late, so you're not locked into morning visits.

Worth going? Only if naval history appeals. The building's handsome, the views across to the Thames are decent, and it beats sitting in a tent when it's raining. But don't force it if ships bore you senseless.