One of the best free family days out in the UK: the Natural History Museum states plainly that its galleries are free to explore, including the dinosaur gallery, Hintze Hall and the blue whale.

Nothing needs to be booked, although the museum recommends reserving a free timed ticket at weekends and during school holidays so you can skip the queue at busy times.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:50 with last entry at 17:30; only some special exhibitions carry a charge, and everything in the permanent galleries is free.