Bank of England Museum

The Bank of England Museum in the City of London is one of the capital's lesser-known free gems, tucked inside the Bank of England's Threadneedle Street headquarters and open exclusively on weekdays. The museum tells the story of the Bank from its founding in 1694 through to its modern role as the UK's central bank, covering monetary history, bank notes, gold, and financial crises along the way. The undisputed highlight for children — and many adults — is the opportunity to try lifting a genuine gold bar through a locked case.

The bar weighs around 13kg and the case is designed so visitors can grip it and attempt to lift; very few people can. It's a moment that makes abstract wealth suddenly, viscerally real. Beyond the gold bar, the museum has interactive exhibits on how the economy works, the history of UK banknotes, and the security features that make modern currency difficult to counterfeit.

It's not a high-adrenaline attraction, but for families with older children who are curious about how money and financial systems work, it's a quietly fascinating hour. The City of London location makes it easy to combine with a walk across the Millennium Bridge, a visit to Borough Market, or a climb up the Monument.