You will certainly be enraptured with London's many museums, together they exhibit practically every conceivable collection - from fossils and prehistoric times to spoils of Empire - from mankind's greatest inventions to local history. Whatever your interest, you'll certainly have a great time discovering London's museums.

London also has many wonderful art galleries, the Tate and the National being perhaps the most famous, and many historical homes, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of some of England's most important people and the furnishings and styles of the times.

Choosing which museum, gallery or historic house to visit will depend very much on your own interests, and also the time you have to spare. A visit to at least one of the following places is recommended.

The Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH. The museum is housed within the Bank of England right at the heart of the City of London. It traces the history of the Bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694 to its role today as the nation's central bank. Displays include: gold; banknotes; 18th century banking hall and the state of the art interactive video systems on the Bank and its roles, as well as foreign exchange dealing games. Access for the disabled. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am - 17:00pm throughout the year. Closed weekends and Public/Bank Holidays. Admission free.

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1, Holborn, Russell Square or Tottenham Court Road underground. This is one of the world's greatest museums, showing collections of archaeology, art and human achievement from pre-history to 20th century.

Gunnersbury Park Museum, Gunnersbury Park, W3, Acton town underground. Bus: E3 (daily), 7 (Suns only). A splendid neo-classical mansion, once a home of the Rothschild family, but now a local history museum. Its changing displays often feature hands-on activities for children, and plenty for all the family, from costume and carriages to the Victorian kitchens (open on summer weekends). Open: Nov-Mar, daily 1-4pm; Apr-Oct: daily 1-5pm (6pm weekends & BH) Admission free.

Imperial War Museum, Lambeth road, London SE1, Lambeth North underground. The award winning Imperial War Museum tells the story of twentieth century conflict involving Britain and the Commonwealth. Discover thousands of imaginatively displayed exhibits from art to aircraft, U-boats to Utility clothing. Special features include: the walk through Trench Experience: the dramatic Blitz Experience and Operation Jericho, our flight simulator. Evacuees, our major exhibition for 1996, tells the story of the children who were separated from their homes and families throughout Britain in the Second World War. Open daily 10am - 6pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 December.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent "the loveliest Castle in the World" represents the perfect day out of London. Set on two islands in the centre of a motionless lake, and surrounded by 500 acres of glorious parkland, the castle was home to six of the medieval Queen's England. Henry VIII, the most celebrated of English monarchs converted the Castle into a Royal Palace. The Castle is served by National Express Coach 008, departing from Victoria Coach Station daily at 10:00 am. You will have the best day out in history!

The London Toy & Model Museum, 21/23 Craven Hill, London W2 3EN. Full of amazing toys, working models, activities for young and old, garden rides and a restaurant. See, hear and touch interactive exhibits in galleries ranging from a Victorian Nursery to a First World War Trench, the deck of a steam ship and a Teddy Bear's Picnic in the woods. Open daily 10:00am - 5:30pm (11:00am - 5:30pm Sundays and Bank Holidays). Admission charged.

Museum of the Moving Image, South Bank, Waterloo SE1 8XT, the nearest train/tube station: Waterloo or Embankment (cross Hungerford Bridge to South Bank). Where the magical world of film and television comes to life - fly like Superman, become a newsreader, watch hundreds of film and TV clips, and interact with the lively cast of actors. Open daily 10am - 6pm (last admission 5pm) Closed 24-26 Dec. Admission charged.

The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7, South Kensington underground. Home of the National collections of living and fossil animals and plants, rocks and meteorites and the finest dinosaur exhibition for 65 million years. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Closed Dec 23-26, Jan 1, and Good Friday.

Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London NW9 5LL, Colindale underground. Situated in the historic Hendon airfield, it tells the story of the RAF from its start to the present, with some 40 aircraft on show. The Battle of Britain Hall is dedicated to the air forces which defended Britain in 1940 and includes British and enemy aircraft. The Bomber Command Hall displays many unique bomber aircraft and artefacts. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 2pm-6pm.

The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7, South Kensington underground. The outstanding collections at the Science Museum form an unparalleled record of mankind's greatest inventions and achievements. There are nearly a thousand working exhibits. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Closed Dec 24-26.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7, South Kensington underground. The world's finest museum of the decorative arts. It's collections span 2,000 years and include sculpture, furniture, fashion and textiles, paintings, silver and glass, jewellery, books, prints and photographs from Britain and all over the world. Open: Mon noon-5:50pm, Tues-Sun 10am-5:50pm. Closed all major holidays.

Barbican Art Gallery, Gallery Floor, Barbican Centre, EC2. Changing exhibitions. Open daily.

Mall Galleries, The Mall, SW1, Charing Cross underground. Home of the Federation of British Artists. Open daily.

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2, Charing Cross or Leicester Square underground. The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting, comprising, more than 2,000 pictures dating from the late 13th to the early 20th Century. Open: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 14:00-18:00. Admission free.

The National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Palce, WC2, Charing Cross or Leicester Square underground. Founded in 1856 to collect the likeness of famous men and women. Today the collection is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world and constitutes a unique record of the men and women who created and are still creating the history and culture of the nation. Open: Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00, Sunday 12:00-18:00. Admission free.

The October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, WC1, Holborn or Russell Square underground. Renowned Bloomsbury gallery devoted to contemporary art from around the planet. A building of architectural note, converted from a Victorian School, with a lunch-time restaurant, theatre space, and a delightful open- air garden. Congenial venue available for meetings, events, etc. Open: Tuesdays-Saturdays 12.30-17.30hrs.

Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace Road, SW1. Works of art from the Royal Collection. Victoria underground.

Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1, Piccadilly Circus underground. Renowned internationally for its remarkable loan exhibitions. Open daily.

The Tate Gallery, Millbank SW1, Pimlico underground. The national collection of British paintings from the 16th century to the 1900's, the national collection of 20th century art and other favourites such as the Pre-Raphaelites. Mon-Sat 10:00-17:50, Sun 14:00-17:50. Adm. Free.

Braham's Tea and Coffee Museum, Two great Oriental trades, which brought romance to the ports of London and a new social life to Europe, are illustrated in a unique collection of pictures, silver and ceramics. Open 10am-6pm at Butler's Wharf, tower Bridge.

Museum of London, Discover the heritage of the capital from Roman times to present day. Open 10am-5.50pm Tues-Sat and Noon-5.50pm Sun at 150 London Wall, EC2 (Barbican tube).

Museum of Mankind, The lifestyle and traditions of people from non-Western cultures are explored. Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat and 2.30-6pm Sun at 6 Burlington Gardens (Green Park tube).

National Maritime Museum, Models of ships and full size vessels tell the story of British seamanship. Open 10am-6pm Mon-Sat and 12-6pm Sun at Romney Rd, SE10 (Maze Hill BR)

National Army Museum, The story of how soldiers lived, worked and fought - from Tudor times to present day - is vividly brought to life. Bosnia and The Gulf War are represented, too. Open 10am-5.30pm at Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea (Sloane Square tube).

Old Royal Observatory, Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat and 2-5pm Sun in Greenwich Park (Maze Hill BR).

Hayward Gallery, Many modern art exhibitions are held here at Belvedere Rd, SE1, on the South Bank. Open 10am-6pm (10am-8pm Tues & Weds, Waterloo tube/BR).