How much do you know about the town you’re from or now live in? Maybe there’s more interesting things to learn than you realise.

Traveling back in time through the archives of your local authority or by searching online can be a hugely interesting and rewarding experience.

Maybe your town was a pioneering industrial hub of the great industrial revolution of the 19th Century; or perhaps your village was the birthplace of someone rich or famous.

Why not spend a morning finding out about the milestones and events that made your local town what it is today? You could even combine this activity with a look into your family genealogy – you never know what gems of the past you might uncover.

Websites worth a look:

http://www.local-history.co.uk/

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Castles, country estates, villages, gardens…

Britain is awash with inspirational historic places and getting out to experience them is always an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

If it’s a nice day you can pack up a picnic, or stop off on the way home for a bite of lunch to round off an interesting, educational morning.

Search using the National Trust’s website below to find an interesting place to visit in your area:   

National Trust

Pack up a weekend bag and head off for a weekend away.

Whether you’re looking to spend more quality time with a partner, sample local food and drink, do some sightseeing or hit the nightlife, getting away for a long weekend has never been cheaper or easier. 

And the UK has so many great places to visit, there’s no excuse not to get out there and experience some of them.

Websites to visit:

Vacation Inspiration

Lastminute.com

Enjoy the company of man’s best friend without the hassle.

Walking can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a morning and there is no better companion to take crunching through woodlands than a dog.

But you don’t have to own a furry companion to enjoy a winter walk with one. Animal rescue centres around the country are always in need of volunteers to walk their dogs while they’re waiting to be rehomed.

You’ll need to contact the centre in advance and tell them a bit about yourself, you may need to undergo a short training session, and then you can pop along and choose a dog to take walking.

Dog walking volunteering is a great way to enjoy the fun and exuberance of a canine companion without the commitment and responsibility that goes with owning a dog.

Websites worth a look:

www.dogpages.org.uk

www.dogstrust.org.uk

www.dogshome.org

Spend a morning discovering the local ornithology.

You can do it in your back garden, or down at the local nature reserve or conservation area, anywhere that birds come and go in a natural environment.

It’s a good idea to do some research before you start, either online or with a good ornithology book, that way you’ll have a basic understanding of which species you are likely to see at different times of the year and in different areas.

It’s also useful to have a pair of binoculars, and a waterproof jacket if you intend to really take an interest in birdwatching.

Helpful websites:

British Trust for Ornithology

www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/birds/top-tips/top-tips-for-birdwatching.html

www.learnbirds.com

Gather friends and family together to discuss your favourite reads.

If you love reading and can’t wait to pass on your favourites to others so that you can discuss them – don’t wait!

Start your own book club so that you all read the same book at the same time. Then meet up regularly to discuss what you liked and disliked about it.

You can take it in turns to host the event, and also to choose which books to read. Depending on your lifestyles, you can hold the club weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

It’s a great way to share great stories and spend an enjoyable morning.

Websites to visit:

www.thereadingclub.co.uk/HowToStartBookClub.html

www.book-clubs-resource.com/running/starting.php

Grab your camera and head for a local beauty spot to see how artistic you are.

Photography, like art, is very much in the eye of the beholder. But there a some guidelines to follow while you’re snapping to ensure you get the best possible pictures you can.

You don’t need loads of expensive equipment to get started, in fact, you can take some surprisingly good images with a simple disposable camera. If you have a decent pixel level on your mobile phone (over 300 is best) you can use that too. There are a few websites listed below to help you get started.

Why not send us some of the pictures you take – we might be able to publish some of them here.

Helpful websites:

www.photographytips.com

www.photolinks.com/resources.html

Blogs:

digital-photography-school.com/blog/

Worth a browse: ‘How to Photograph Absolutely Everything: Successful Pictures from Your Digital Camera’, Tom Ang (Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd)

With the swing towards locally grown produce and other eco thinking, how about dipping your toes in the Good Life and growing some of your own fruit and veg?

You don’t have to own acres of land to get started; in fact you can grow some things in a window box, or even indoors. And it can be surprisingly gratifying to eat things you’ve planted and nurtured yourself.

Grab a note pad and start planning your vegetable patch plan this morning.

You can share your produce with friends and neighbours and, if you really get the bug, you could even take over an allotment – if they’re available in your area.

Some things you can grow indoors: carrots, mushrooms, peppers and culinary herbs, potatoes

Some things suitable for a window box: herbs, lettuces, cress, tomatoes

Love this book: ‘The Window-box Allotment – A Beginners Guide to Container Gardening’, Penelope Bennett (Ebury Press)

Websites worth a look:

Growfruitandveg.co.uk

Gardenorganic.org.uk

Check out allotments in your area:

Allotment.org.uk

Take the children (if you have them) and pop down to your local pool for a dip.

You don’t need to be a swimmer to enjoy the pool. The shallow end is rarely more than 1 metre deep (waist level) and there is usually a selection of floats and inflatables to keep you and little ones buoyant while you splash around.

If you’re feeling really energetic you could join a water aerobics class and meet new people, or sign up for swimming lessons – it’s never too late to learn.

Helpful websites:

www.swimmingwithoutstress.co.uk

www.learn-to-swim.co.uk