Things to do in London and the Home Counties

A great day out

We asked two families based in London, Nick and Helen Harris and their children, Aidan, two, and Tilly, nine months, and Sarah and Lucien Reynolds and their children Linus, 12, and Morag, four, where their favourite days out destinations are. They suggest these places make a great day out:

The Natural History Museum, Kensington and the Natural History Museum, Tring, Hertfordshire

Why did the dinosaurs really become extinct? How big are hippopotamus's teeth? Do

unicorns exist? A visit to the fascinating Natural History Museum answers all of these questions and more.

Nick says: "The big Natural History Museum is in South Kensington, where the dinosaurs are great for kids, but there's also a branch in Tring which is really interesting. There are loads and loads of stuffed animals on display and Aidan still talks about it now, months later."

Great Cockcrow Railway, Lyne, Surrey

Nick says: "Okay, it's only open in the summer, for three-and-a-bit hours, normally on a Sunday afternoon. But it's brilliant - it's in Chertsey, just off the M25, and is a miniature railway with scale model, working steam engines which you can take a ride on. This is the favourite summer Sunday afternoon activity of pretty much everyone I know."

Deen City Farm, Merton, London

The farm is run by a registered charity and has gardens, a café and a shop - as well as a host of animals.

Nick says: "Halfway between Wimbledon and Tooting there's a city farm - it used to be walking distance from our old house but we still head there quite often. There are horse/pony rides and you can also see pigs, sheep, alpacas and chickens (including baby ones just hatched usually). This is walking distance from Colliers Wood tube station."

The Science Museum, South Kensington, London

A free museum packed with a host of exciting interactive exhibits. Step into the "cockpit" with the Red Arrows in an amazing 3D experience. Or feel the impact of a Saturn V rocket launch.

Nick says: "All the museums in South Kensington are good but Helen thought there were parts of this one that were wonderful for Aidan."

The British Museum, Bloomsbury, London

See the superb Egyptian mummies at London’s most-visited free attraction. Free half-term events and activities celebrate the museum’s elephants.

Sarah says: "There is a lot here so it can be quite exhausting for tots. Morag and I tend to do it in little chunks, while the men of the family go off and explore!"

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London

Recently rated Britain’s best free attraction by users of the review website TripAdvisor, this London institution runs special events for children during weekends and holidays.

Sarah says: "This makes such a delightful drop-in. It's right in the heart of bustling, central London but it's very peaceful and great for kids. I wouldn't suggest you try to do it all at once - maybe take in a few rooms, check out the family events and then collapse in the café!"