London's Museums
Many of the London museums scrapped entrance fees a few years ago, so you can now enjoy the exhibits in London's various museums for free. There are a cluster of museums in South Kensington, so you may like to combine a visit to these in one day (although you'll probably be exhausted by all you've learnt in that day...). Here are some of the best museums to take a visit to.

British Museum Great Russell Street, WC1 Underground: Russell Square or Tottenham Court Road Website: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk FREE
The most visited museum in London...in fact, this is one of the most visited attractions in the whole of Britain! (About six million people visit it yearly.) The museum is vast, you might simply like to view the most famous exhibits, such as the Elgin Marbles, Portland Vase and the Rosetta Stone. Equally impressive is the main entrance, which leads into the glass-domed Great Court. History addicts may do well to purchase a guide at the museum store to aid their viewing. The British Museum has a number of online, interactive guides about its various subjects, including those on Ancient Egypt, Ancient India and Mesapotamia.

Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road, SE1 Underground: Lambeth North Website: www.iwm.org.uk FREE
A museum housing war and military exhibitions may not sound ideal, but much here is fascinating, particularly the experiences of World War I and II. A exhibition of a British home from the 1940s, a reconstruction of one featured in a British television show, is one of the many additional, special displays. The Museum also has a cinema that shows various war-related films, and events (such as talks, film seasons) are also held regularly, although paid tickets need to be booked in advance for these.

London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza, WC2 Underground: Covent Garden Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk
As you may expect, this museum covers the history of the different types of transport that have existed in London since the early 1800s. There are both permanent displays, showing many of the vehicles that were used in the past, and special exhibitions that take place at various times during the year. There are also activities for children that are included in the admission price.

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 Underground: South Kensington Website: www.nhm.ac.uk FREE
Opened in 1881 to display the British Museum's natural history collection, this huge museum has had several high-tech refits since. Perhaps best to go in summer to avoid the school groups (which have in the past included me!), highlights are the Creepy-Crawly, Human Biology, Ecology and Earth galleries. Open 10am-5.50pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5.50pm Sunday.

Science Museum Exhibition Road SW7 Underground: South Kensington Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk FREE
An endearing memory of the Science Museum for me is the countless school trips to the Launch Pad, a hands-on and fun experience of science, especially for kids. However, as you would expect, this museum is crammed full of science and technology exhibits, past, present and future. Open 10am-6pm daily.

Victoria & Albert Museum Cromwell Road SW7 Underground: South Kensington Website: www.vam.ac.uk FREE
The museum contains the world's greatest collection of decorative arts as well as the national sculpture collection. Check the website for the latest new exhibitions, and those that are to open soon. The museum is open 10am-5.45pm daily, 10am-10pm Wednesdays and the last Friday of every month.