Twickenham Stadium

The home of English rugby sits on the banks of the Thames in southwest London, and stepping through those gates hits different if you've watched even one match here on telly. Twickenham Stadium is vast - properly vast - and the stadium tours take you into the changing rooms, down the tunnel where players emerge, and up into the commentary boxes where you can see exactly why the view from the press seats costs a fortune.

It's brilliant for rugby obsessives, obviously. Kids who've just discovered the sport will find it engaging enough - the interactive museum bits work well for under-twelves - but if you're not already invested in rugby union, you might find two hours here stretches thin. The stadium itself is a working fortress of a building rather than a pretty sight from outside.

Tours run most days when there are no matches, though you'll want to check ahead as international fixtures take priority. Allow a good two hours minimum, maybe three if you're the type to read every caption in the museum. It's paid entry, not cheap, but considerably less grim than most major sports venues.

Walton-on-Thames sits just a few miles away and makes a sensible base - the Camping and Caravanning Club Site there is solid if you're towing a caravan. The stadium tour works as a half-day activity on a longer South East break. Combine it with a walk along the riverside or a proper pub lunch nearby and you've got yourself a decent afternoon. Just go in knowing what you're signing up for: this is rugby, not a theme park.