The Canterbury Heritage Museum along the River Stour is the ideal stop for little ones to learn and have fun on a rainy day.

Discover the history of Canterbury from its Medieval days to the present and everything in between.

The building, which was built in 1373 was first used as a home for old and poor priests.

Today, it is home to collections and artefacts from various eras including Anglo-Saxon ornaments, film footage and photographs from the Second World War and even fossils dating from the tropical and Ice Age periods.

Mums and dads can relive their childhoods with fun-packed displays of Bagpuss and Friends including the Emily shop window which features original items from the programme.

These were donated by creator Peter Firmin who once lived in nearby Blean, where many of the films where shot in his barn by friend and animator, Oliver Postgate.

The Rupert Bear Museum, which opened in 2003 with a £500,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, is a must as is the original Canterbury cross, a bronze cruciform brooch, which dates back from ca. 850 and was found in Canterbury in 1867.

The Canterbury Heritage Museum is perfect for giving children an in-depth history lesson but without all the boring bits.

Make sure to check their web site regularly to find out current opening times and when and what the latest events and exhibitions are.

Where: Stour Street, Canterbury CT1 2NR

Opening times: 11am to 5pm (until September 28)

Price: From £6. Up to two children go free per paying adult.

Age suitability: All ages

Website:www.canterbury.co.uk/museums/heritage-museum