This is an amazing 2 story museum with all kinds of artifacts from old wedgewood to Egypt's tomb…read moreand artifacts Teapots and tea cups old coins to everything in between. 2 nd floor loads of paintings to look at. Entry is free which is always a plus.

The Fitzwilliam Museum offers a well rounded and varied collection. It is sure to please most…read moremuseum visitors regardless of interests. If you're a fan of the work of Georges-Pierre Seurat, you're sure to enjoy the 1884 Neo-Impressionism painting, "The Couple" (original title: Un dimanche après-midi sur l'île de la Grande Jatte). Does it somehow look familiar? This was a study for A Sunday on the Island of la Grande Jatte! "This work is one of many that Georges-Pierre Seurat made in preparation for a much larger painting. The woman's stiff posture is accentuated by her tightly buttoned jacket and the exaggerated bustle of her skirt, which echoes the curve of her parasol. Given that the area of Paris depicted here was known for prostitution, it has been suggested that the woman is a sex worker on the arm of a male client." Give yourself several hours if you plan to take in the entire collection. If you are fortunate enough to live nearby and can visit often, take your time and you're sure to fall in love with one of the many wonderfully curated items found within the museum walls.

This place is fantastic for people of all ages and it's free which is even better. Did you know…read morethat the nursery rhymes humpty dumpty and twinkle twinkle little star are both from Colchester? Well you can find out why and much more at this museum - well worth a visit

A free museum and somewhere worth visiting. Not only are there lots of interesting artifacts but…read morethere are things the children and adults can play around with whilst learning about the local history.

An interesting hour spent studying all sorts of scientific instruments from Babbage's difference…read moreengine, hand held calculators and a cool section of hands on experiments and instruments for kids.

This is fascinating Museum housed in original WOrld War II buildings on Parham Airfield, where…read moreAmerican Airmen were based during the war. There are a huge number of artefacts, and every time I go I manage to see and learn new things. The Museum is run by keen volunteers who are happy to guide you round or answer any questions. There is a nice little tearoom which also sells souvenirs and often has wartime music or films playing in it. There are sometimes sandwiches for sale, but no other meals, just snacks like crisps, sweets, biscuits. The souvernirs are VERY CHEAP- lots for under £1. There is also an underground bunker which is open during high season which has been built as an exact replica of one found recently a few miles away at Stratford St Andrew- you can walk through this and see how Britain's Secret Army lived and trained, with original memorabilia such as food and bomb making equipment housed in the bunker. This is very popular with the children, but the main WWII museum part is probably more suitable to adults due to the nature of the exhibits- lots of written displays etc. There are outside picnic tables which are lovely in summer but can get very windy due to the barren and flat surroundings. BEST OF ALL, ENTRANCE TO THE MUSEUM IS FREE- but the Museum does rely on donations to be able to survive. Do play the Museum a visit if you are going near to Framlingham- it is open Sundays March- September and Wednesdays in July and August and really does offer a lovely, informative and evocative morning or afternoon out.

What a great experiential aircraft visit in a historically significant place. The displays span the…read morecentury including spitfires, P-51's, B-52's, A-10's, SR-71, U2, and commercial aircraft like the SST. Two major display building with several hangars of planes WW2 operational planes or in process of being restored. For you yanks, this on the quality of the Smithsonian Aircraft exhibit in DC, with out all the outer space stuff.

It had been years since my last visit to Duxford. A Christmas present of tickets and an In the…read moreCockpit Spitfire Experience made a return visit a 'must do'. On arrival, and wandering around, I immediately noticed so many changes. More outlets throughout the grounds for refreshments. Prices are more than reasonable and the food very fresh having been made on site. My last visit there was only one restaurant. Also, it may sound silly, but many more toilet facilities. All a very big plus to this wonderful museum. We decided to start our visit in the Land Based War area at the very furthest point on the runway. Although there is a bus service we decided to slowly stroll the 15 minutes. This idea worked out perfectly as we finished our visit in the main hangar near the exit, tired, but having visited every area on our way back. The whole experience was an education and extremely enjoyable. The aircraft are an impressive display and the planning in setting out these huge vehicles in such small spaces incredible. This, especially, in the American hangar. Seeing the old passenger planes on the runway brought back memories of DanAir, BEA, BOAC, Monarch......all planes and companies I have flown with. Finally, my Spitfire experience was outstanding. An informative talk for 20 minutes before climbing into the cockpit of N3200. Still wonder how those pilots in flight jackets, boots and parachute managed to even move. Shown all the controls in a hands on way. It was so interesting, A fabulous day out and a would definitely advise a visit of a few hours.

Great historical displays inside the picturesque castle as well as in the extensive park grounds…read more One of the best collections of British Roman glass from 100 ad. Room after room of interesting artifacts from several eras, but do not miss the upstairs Roman artifacts room

Tons of touchable things, and interesting history presented in many different ways. Not the…read morebiggest Castle around and parking was quite a distance for us but there is also a playground adjacent to the castle.

The British Museum is a must on your visit to London especially if it your first time in London…read more Check their website before you arrive to see if a reservation is required. On busy days they require pre-booked reservations which can be made at no cost. I suggest planning 1.5 hours to see the highlights or recommendations found on the free map at each entrance. There are places to sit and relax with a coffee or tea at a counter service cafe or a place with table service. There is a coat and bag check available to the left once you enter through the main entrance. I'm not sure if there is a cost for it.

Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

Housed in a grand and impressive building, the NHM is well curated, with impeccable displays, and…read moreit's free. However, a donation of £10 is HIGHLY suggested as you enter. As with all London museums, there is security checking all backpacks, but this museum was checking for alcohol! When you see all the school teens sitting on the stairways (perhaps waiting for parents to pick them up?), then the alcohol check is understandable. Out of all the displays, my favorite was the dimly lit Treasures room. Each piece exhibited tells an important story beyond what you actually see like an Iguanodon tooth from the Mesozoic strata and found by Gideon Mantell (or his wife) and the rivalry that ensued between Mantell and Owen, who later usurped Mantell's contribution in discovering the first known dinosaur species and shaping the early understanding of dinosaurs. While I find the digital text for each display as being the true treasures, only 1-2 people can read at a time so you feel a bit rushed if you're a person (like me) who reads everything, yet people are behind you waiting their turn. In addition to the wonderful displays, there is a photo booth whereby you can have 3 photos taken against a green screen depicting a dinosaur encounter. What they don't tell you upfront is that the photos are NOT free and can be downloaded (depending on the package you choose) from £12 to £22 pounds. When I asked the staff for information on particular exhibits, I found them to be more than helpful and friendly, too. Allow time for this expansive gem.

Lots of bones! Plenty of old stuff! Great turn-of-the-century over-the-top ornate architecture!…read morePlan on an hour unless you're hardcore. Ride the escalator into the middle of the earth to find out what music is playing inside. See extraordinary taxidermy handiwork. Even see a fake dodo bird thought to be an adjacent species that didn't exist. And if you like dinosaurs this is your Mecca. Just don't dare sit anywhere like on some stairs in the corner or some overzealous guard will kick you right out. But otherwise you'll have a great time. Also enjoy the outside grounds for a stroll, and hit up the West entrance for zero lines while the hoards line up on the other side.

The collection holds many geological samples collected by Charles Darwin on his voyage of the…read moreBeagle. Quite a few display cases hold personal effects such as equipment and notebooks from the voyage. As for the rest of the museum's collection, most of the rock samples are from the UK, but the most special for me were the Burgess Shale pieces; here the visitor can get a very close view which is a problem at other museums.

This is a lovely museum. It is full of fossils and alike…read more They run lots of events for children. They are also Very child friendly and dont mind excited children. Its also free.

Red alert, a 4 year old is bored and needs some entertainment. A quick Google on 'Things to do in…read moreEssex' and we discovered the East Anglian Railway Museum at Wakes Colne just outside Colchester, for the Bank Holiday weekend they are hosting a Thomas and Friends extravaganza. Problem solved and an hour later from Southend we were pulling into the car park outside the Chappel Station. The website suggested as parking was limited, to go to Marks Tey Station park there and take the train one stop away. We had planned to do this as the train would travel across the magnificent viaduct that greets you as you arrive by car to the museum. However, the Sat Nav decided to mispinterpret the inputted postcode and took us past the exit to Marks Tey off the A12 and instead the next entrance took us straight to the venue where it turned out there was plenty of parking afterall. A tad expensive to enter the museum 2 adults and a 4 year old £31; but this did guarantee unlimited rides on the trains. Chappel Station itself is a step back in time to the glorious age of steam. Although still functioning as a station for the National Express train line, it still manages to maintain it's natural historic leafy English charm. Stepping onto the platform we could see straight away a handful of trains from the Rev Awdry Thomas the Tank Engine stories including of course Thomas himself, as well as Daisy, Toby and Percy. Each one was positioned with passenger coaches or trucks to take the delighted crowds on short trips up and down the line. All the staff whom I assumed were volunteers were cheerful and engaged with the visitors from the moment we stepped on the site, with friendly waves and chatter to keep all feeling part of the experience. Considering the remoteness of this rail museum, it was pleasing to hear many accents around us including US and Australian tourists all confirming the international appeal for Thomas. My 4 year old could have stayed all day and more and was thrilled with the experience, and was still chattering about it on his way to bed, which has more than made up for the cost of entry. It can be assumed these weekends provide a valuable boost to the funds of the museum for the rest of the year. If you are in these ere parts with a little'un to cheer up or an old'un wanting to reminisce then this would be a worthy venture. the museum is pretty much open all year round but the Thomas event is for certain dates only, and there is plenty to see if you like your trains, and I am sure if you wanted to get more involved could volunteer your services too. http://www.earm.co.uk/

This is definately one to keep the kids entertained and you can be sure that they will remember it…read moreand be talking about it for some time to come! We went along to one of the 'Thomas the Tank Engine' days and as you can imagine, that is a very popular day for many people to bring their children along. We didnt have any troubles parking, but that may be because we get their early to try and avoid too much of a rush anyway. It can be a little bit on the expensive side when you look at the entry fees, but it isn't something that you do everyday anyway. Most definately well worth it to keep the children entertained and see the smile on their faces :-)