Five centuries of Britain’s military history are gathered under one roof at this remarkable museum in Chelsea. The collection includes massive archives of artifacts and pictures from all the wars Britain has been involved in. The Waterloo collection is world beating.

This is the army’s museum and although at times it feels pretty gung ho, the academics have been allowed to express themselves in the curating of the permanent exhibition. It is, however, slightly surprising to see such levels of ambivalence towards what the Generals were thinking of in the Crimea, the first World War and so many of other conflicts that have been bravely fought but shoddily managed.

As a child, the best bit is climbing on the tanks, but this is an informative and interesting place for visitors of any generation – as long as you have at least an iota of interest in conflict.