Did you know that Milton Keynes was a bustling settlement in Roman Britain and home to the largest Roman villa in the country? They clearly had excellent taste in settlements. The Milton Keynes Museum is far more than meets the eye, and we think it’s a fabulous family day out.

On the site of the old Stacey Hill Farm, the museum is set in scores of outdoor space in the MK suburb of Wolverton, making it perfect for family visits with kids of all ages (plus, under 5s go free). Pick up a nature map from reception and discover hidden spots teeming with wildlife, or stop by for an event at the recently restored bandstand.

Inside, there’s plenty of hands-on activities to engage even the most restless of museum-goers. The Victorian Farmhouse looks just like it would have done in Queen Victoria’s reign. To get in the spirit of days gone by, you can tackle the laundry like people did pre-washing machines, play some period musical instruments, and taste a glimpse of life before the invention of the toaster by toasting bread in front of an open fire.

The Street of Shops simulates a historical high street with real shopfronts from local high streets (Stony Stratford, Wolverton, Newport Pagnall), and visitors can buy old fashioned sweets from the post office, or tootle around in the hardware store. (We told you there were plenty of surprises here). The Hall of Transport is a firm favourite with both kids and their parents – head here to explore the history of MK’s transportation from horse-drawn cart to car, including the world’s largest steam tram.

After all that, chill out over a cuppa and something baked at the Granary Tearoom. Oh, and did we mention that once you’ve paid for one visit to the museum, you get the rest of the year free? Family day out perfection.