Horniman Museum and Gardens

The Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London offer a somewhat more manageable alternative to the city's more famous showstoppers such as the Natural History Museum. Though smaller when it comes to the number of items on display, the quirky Victorian collection surprises at every turn with the sheer scope of its interests, not to mention the grounds themselves.

Founded in 1901 by the heir of the successful Horniman's Tea empire, the museum reflects its founder's passion for collecting items from all over the world, particularly in the fields of natural history and anthropology. The biggest draw for many is perhaps the large exhibition of taxidermied animals, but others, like the comprehensive ethnographic collection or the impressive musical instrument collection featuring more than 9,500 objects made to produce sound, rank among the most significant in the UK.

The grounds also include a highly acclaimed aquarium that offers a close look at aquatic environments and their inhabitants from around the globe, from jellyfish to tropical tree frogs, as well as a butterfly house, an animal walk with goats, sheep, alpacas and more, the oldest nature trail in London, and lovely gardens for taking in the sunshine. All in all, the wide range of thing to do makes Horniman a fitting choice for family outings or groups with varied interests.