With just a week or so left before schools go back, a family outing to the British Museum may be a little impractical. Not to worry; let the museum come to you in the guise of its all-new Compass website, an online introduction and archive of 1,500 objects stored within the hallowed vaults, anterooms and alcoves. Take the ancient Egyptian tour or browse its Family Toys and Games section, where you can discover just how and where those household pastimes such as playing cards or outdoor pursuits such as kite flying hail from (both originated in imperial China). The site doubles as an excellent research tool, with information on each item compiled by the museum's able curators. Take the tour at www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass.

Not so much for the armchair scholar but the armchair party animal, the www.nottinghillcarnival.net.uk site allows those unable to get to London this bank holiday weekend a virtual tour of Britain's biggest street festival. Simply sit back, pull open a can of Red Stripe and chill: check out the events and negotiate the online map, visit the vibrant sound systems and colourful floats all courtesy of the festival's network of webcams and broadcasts.

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