Oliver Cromwell

Standing outside the house where England's most controversial ruler was born, you're looking at a surprisingly modest building in the heart of Huntingdon. The Oliver Cromwell Museum occupies his actual birthplace - a timber-framed house dating from the 13th century that later became the town's grammar school.

Inside, the story unfolds of the man who signed Charles I's death warrant and ruled as Lord Protector. Interactive displays walk you through his rise from Huntingdon farmer to military commander, though the museum doesn't shy away from his more brutal campaigns in Ireland. History buffs will find plenty to digest, but it's presented clearly enough that older children won't get lost in the politics.

The building itself deserves attention - creaking floorboards and low beams give a proper sense of 17th-century domestic life. Allow about an hour to see everything properly, though Civil War enthusiasts could easily spend longer.

Families staying at nearby parks like Crystal Lakes Leisure or Wyton Lakes Holiday Park will find it makes a decent rainy-day option. Huntingdon's compact centre means you can easily combine it with a walk along the River Great Ouse or a browse around the market square. It's educational without being heavy-handed, and the staff know their stuff if you want to dig deeper into this turbulent period of English history.