Yew Tree Cottage - Fun Days Out

Red House in Bexleyheath, south-east London, is the only house designed, built and lived in by William Morris, a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement. Morris and the architect Philip Webb designed it, and it was completed in 1860. It became a haven for Pre-Raphaelite artists, including Edward Burne-Jones.

You see the house on a guided tour led by friendly volunteer guides. Look out for the hand-carved staircase newel posts, the repeating patterns William and Jane painted on the ceilings, and the Pre-Raphaelite-style wall murals. A wall painting was found hidden behind a modern wardrobe in the main bedroom. Outside, the garden has arts and crafts style planting, an apple orchard and a rose arch. There is also a secondhand bookshop in the Stables.

Tip: Visits to the house are by pre-booked guided tour only, so book your ticket ahead. The nearest parking is Danson Park, about a mile away.

London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo, on the northern edge of Regent's Park, with the Regent's Canal running through it. It is run by ZSL, a conservation charity, and its animals range from tiny leafcutter ants to a giant silverback gorilla.

You can travel from the rainforests of South America to a monkey-filled jungle of Central Africa, and visit areas such as Penguin Beach, Tiger Territory and Monkey Valley along the way. Daily animal talks explain more about endangered species and how they are being protected. It suits families with children, and anyone curious about the history of the zoo will find plenty to spot.

Tip: Check the daily animal talks when you arrive and plan your route around the ones you want to catch.

Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit at West Kingsdown in Kent. It began as a grassy hollow used by cyclists and motorcyclists in the 1920s and 1930s, and became a tarmac car and motorbike circuit in 1950. It later hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986.

Today it has two layouts: the shorter Indy Circuit, set in a natural amphitheatre where spectators can see almost all of the track, and the longer Grand Prix circuit, used for only a few meetings a year. The calendar includes British Touring Car Championship and British Superbike Championship weekends, plus club racing and trackdays, and the website also lists driving experiences. It suits motorsport fans and anyone curious about racing history.

Tip: Check the event calendar on the Brands Hatch website before you go, as the track activity changes day to day and each event has its own Book Now link.

The Tower of London is a historic castle and World Heritage Site on the north bank of the River Thames. William the Conqueror built the White Tower in the 1070s, and over the centuries the Tower has served as a royal palace, an armoury, a treasury and a prison. Today it is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces.

Your ticket covers the open public areas, including the Crown Jewels exhibition, the White Tower, the battlements, the Bloody Tower, the Torture at the Tower exhibition, the Fusiliers Museum and the Royal Mint exhibition. A Yeoman Warder tour is also included, subject to availability, and the Warders tell tales of intrigue, imprisonment and execution. Keep an eye out for the Tower's famous ravens too. Some rooms and routes have reduced access or are closed while conservation work is under way, so check before you go.

Tip: The Tower is quieter in the afternoons, after midday. Check the website for temporary route closures before you visit.

The Queen's House in Greenwich was designed by Inigo Jones and completed in the 1630s as a private retreat for the queens of the Stuart royal family. It is England's first classical building, and its white, elegantly proportioned style stands out against the red-brick Tudor palace that once stood here. Today it is an art gallery, part of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside, look for the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, royal portraits, seascapes and sculpture. Architecture fans can see the Great Hall, a perfect cube, and the Tulip Stairs, an intricate wrought iron staircase that holds itself up. Guided tours and a free audio guide bring the stories to life. It suits history and art lovers, and couples, and it combines easily with the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park nearby. The National Maritime Museum's Parkside Café is a two-minute walk away.

Tip: Book free tickets online in advance to guarantee entry, and head first for the Armada Portrait in the Queen's Presence Chamber.

Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed bridge over the Thames, built between 1886 and 1894. The bridge deck is free to cross on foot, but the Tower Bridge Exhibition lets you go inside. You climb the North Tower, cross the High-Level Walkways 42 metres above the river for views east and west over London, and step out on the Glass Floors.

Afterwards you come down the South Tower and follow the Blue Line to the Victorian Engine Rooms, which powered the Bridge Lifts for over 80 years. An audio tour and a Cat Trail with stamps to collect are both included in the ticket, and there are family craft activities too. The Thames Path runs right past, so it pairs well with a riverside stroll.

Tip: Pre-book your tickets, as everyone queues outside on arrival. Wear comfortable shoes for the Towers, though lifts are available.

St Paul's is Sir Christopher Wren's Grade I listed Baroque cathedral on Ludgate Hill, the highest point of the City of London. Its dome stands 111 metres high and was the tallest building in London for more than 250 years. It is still a working church, and has hosted the funerals of Nelson, Wellington and Churchill.

Sightseeing covers the Cathedral Floor, the Crypt and the Dome Galleries, and a multimedia guide is included with entry. Concerts, exhibitions and light-and-sound installations are held here through the year. Children visiting the Dome Galleries must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. St Paul's Underground station is the nearest, a short walk from the cathedral.

Tip: Leave large bags behind: nothing over 45cm x 30cm x 25cm is allowed in, and there is no cloakroom.

The British Museum in Bloomsbury, London, is a public museum of human history, art and culture. Founded in 1753, it was the world's first public national museum, and it opened its doors in 1759. Its permanent collection is the largest in the world and follows the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.

Inside, you can see some of its best-known objects, including the Rosetta Stone from Egypt and the Greek Elgin Marbles. The building also has the Great Court, part of its architecture and worth a look as you pass through. Like all UK national museums, it charges no admission fee except for loan exhibitions. It suits anyone curious about the ancient world and world cultures, and with so much on show you can pick a few galleries rather than try to see everything.