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One of London’s most popular attractions, this is where you can see everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Queen. A Spirit of London ride takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the city’s history. The famous Chamber of Horrors puts you face-to-face with London’s most infamous criminals and has the very guillotine that beheaded Queen Marie Antoinette in the French Revolution. The next-door Planetarium has a 30-minute star show and two interactive exhibits unravelling the mysteries of space. Get there early to avoid waiting in long lines.

There’s a full day out to be had in this 36-acre zoo. Home of the Zoological Society of London, the zoo emphasizes its important international role in conservation and research work. Its cages and enclosures have won awards, such as the aviary designed by Lord Snowdon. The children’s zoo is full of things to do, with a pet care centre, Animals in Action and Predatory Birds displays.

Seven watery environments are spread across two floors in this engaging display. They range from freshwater ponds to coral reefs, mangrove swamps to deep mysterious oceans. Sit and watch the sharks and piranhas being fed, or pick up a crab or starfish in the hands-on tidal- pool exhibit.

The Trocadero entertainment complex in the heart of the West End is a magnet for children. Aside from its shops, restaurants and cinema, there is a stomach-lifting vertical drop ride, a bowling alley and a bewildering array of hi-tech video games and simulators that will keep them occupied for hours.

Children are invited to spend the day at this East End museum, which has one of the largest toy collections in the world, including dolls, teddies, puppets, games and children’s costumes. Activities are organized on weekends.

No adults admitted without a child, says the sign on the gate to this 7-acre park dedicated to small children. There’s a paddling pool, play areas and a city farm with a pets corner and grazing farm animals.

This large south London park is ideal for children. There are colourful gardens, an adventure playground, boating lake, deer enclosure and a children’s zoo.

The scariest experience in town celebrates an “orgy of grisly entertainment”, with death, torture and violence at every turn. Follow in the bloody footsteps of the Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper, witness medieval murders, the 17th-century Fire of London, or go to your own execution on Judgment Day. Not for the faint-hearted.

London Dungeon