Fodor's Expert Review Horniman Museum

Set amid 16 acres of gardens, this eclectic museum is considered something of a well-kept secret by the residents of south London—perhaps because of its out-of-the-way location. You can explore world cultures, natural history, and a fine collection of some 1,300 musical instruments (including a giant tuba) here. The emphasis is on fun and a wide range of activities (many hands-on), including London's oldest nature trail, which features domesticated creatures, such as sheep, chickens, and alpacas, a butterfly house, and an aquarium stocked with endangered species. It's also home to a comically overstuffed, taxidermied walrus who serves as the museum's unofficial mascot. It's a 15-minute bus ride from here to Dulwich Picture Gallery; Bus P4, heading toward Brixton, takes you from door to door.