On your bike - Haldon Forest Park, Devon

Haldon Forest Park is 10 minutes from Exeter and offers a wide range of trails as well as cycle hire, café and many non-cycling activities.  

You can even Go Ape there as they have a high ropes course, complete with zip wire.

From the saddle of a bike you can explore deeper into the forest than you have before, take in amazing views, watch out for wildlife and enjoy safe off-road cycling in a peaceful setting. 

For the more advanced mountain bikers there is the longest, most challenging cycle trail which takes in the thrilling ride on Haldon’s imposing ridge. Not for the faint-hearted, or the inexperienced! 

The skills park and pump track offers the perfect place to develop your riding and try out new techniques. 

All Images (c) 1 South West Cycle Adventure

Many of the trails are perfect for even the youngest cyclist.  So what are you waiting for? Go!

Book Worm - BIrdsong (RSPB)

    

 Nightingale                                                     Robin

I've often wondered which bird I'm listening to in my back garden and now I can find out.

As well as access to the internet making it easier to find the answer, this book is great as you can listen to the amazing variety of birdsong that bring the outdoors to life.

                                          Blackbird                                                     Wren

Simply open the book and listen to the familiar sounds of garden birds such as the robin and wren to wonderful migrants such as the cuckoo and swift.

And you can hear some bird songs here ....

 

Truly Scrumptious - Hackwood Farm, Shop and Tearooms, Derbyshire

We love good farm shops and this one in Radbourne, Derbyshire, is another great find.

Hackwood Farm Shop & Cafe opened in 2011 and sources produce from traditional local suppliers.  Their butchery is run in partnership with award winning Owen Taylor Sons.

    

And their cafe serves freshly prepared daily specials including breakfast snacks, light lunches and afternoon teas, again using locally sourced ingredients from the farm shop and other trusted suppliers. 

This Spring they are opening a small children's farm giving children the opportunity to see, hear and smell farm animals and understand where their food comes from. 

All images (c) Hackwood Farm

There will be a big welcome from Bobby the goat and all his friends when you go to visit.  Check their website for further details. www.hackwoodfarm.com

Days Out - Priory Park, Reigate

Spent a great afternoon in Priory Park, Reigate last weekend. As well as the Priory after which the park is named, there's a lot going on. 

There is a fantastic wooden play area that will spark the imagination of would-be pirates.

A skate park and tennis courts for the more adventurous and fit or croquet lawn for the genteel.

You can wander round the formal gardens in the Priory grounds, stroll round the pond or meander through the woodland area.

And possibly something you wouldn't expect to see. The newly built Pavilion which appears to hover above the grass.  Inside the floor to ceiling windows there's a cafe and in good weather you can sit outside and enjoy the view.

On your bike - Family Cycle Routes - Forest of Dean

Designed with small legs in mind, the cycle trail in the Forest of Dean is perfect for the whole family.  The signposted route follows purpose-built paths and railway lines dotted with plenty of picnic sites to stop at along the way.

It starts in the Cannop Valley from Pedalabikeaway and takes you along the old Severn and Wye railway line passing former stations at Drybrook Road, Cannop Wharf and Speech House. 

Remnants of former coal mines can be seen at Foxes Bridge, Lightmoor and New fancy.  It is mostly level with some short climbs making it suitable for all ages and abilities.

and if you don't have your own bikes, you can rent them from Pedalabikeaway, Dean Forest Cycles or Forest Bikes. 

Distance : 11-mile (18 km) 

Difficulty : Easy

www.forestry.gov.uk/forestofdean

Day trips - All at Sea with Poole Sea Safari

If you fancy a little adventure, what better than a high speed ride on a rib around Dorset's Jurassic Coast?

There are loads of these types of trips on offer but this one from Poole Sea Safari is great value in our opinion.

Where else can you cover 185 million years in 90 minutes?  Whereas a lot of other trips seem to be just about the thrill of the ride, Poole Sea Safari appears to cover more mileage and give you a bit more about what you're seeing too.  

All images (c) Poole Sea Safari

Cruising out of Poole Harbour, you'll pass Brownsea Island and Sandbanks before picking up speed as you fly past Old Harry Rocks and on towards Swanage Bay.

And back on dry land, you'll feel you've earned yourself an ice-cream or bag of chips!

Truly Scrumptious - Nardini's Largs, Scotland

It's Bank Holiday weekend, so we're in search of an ice-cream.  This place is in our top 10 of ice-cream parlours, so we had to share should you find yourself near Largs.

A Scottish institution having opened in 1935, Nardini's is packed even when the beach isn't because of its delicious assortment of ice-cream.  With 32 flavours to choose from it's still the main draw of the lovely deco building that houses the cafe and restaurant.

All their ice-cream is prepared on site and you can even see them at work making it.  Single cone; double scoop; sundaes; or the Clyde Coast Extravaganza: 12 scoops of ice-cream with 16 toppings!

And better still it's open til 9 so you can squeeze in more than one visit on a day out!

Days Out - Bluebell woods

It may be a little early but this is the time of year when bluebells should be carpeting woods with their ultraviolet colours.

Having lived in Marlborough for several years I was spoilt by the local West Woods and enjoyed many early morning walks, midday picnics and evening strolls amongst these flowers contrasting beautifully with the vibrant green beech leaves.

The Woodland Trust have a great website with suggestions of woods around the country and list their top ten.

Ashridge Estate in Buckingham;         Calke Abbey, Derbyshire;

Garston Woods, Dorset;                    Heartwood Forest, Hertfordshire;

Burroughs Wood, Leicestershire;       The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire;

Hardcastle Crags W Yorkshire;           Glen Finglas, Trossachs National Park;

Coed Cefn, Powys;                          Carnmoney Hill, County Antrim.

And for other suggestions try the National Trust, Woodland Trust or RSPB.

Day trips - 50 things to do outdoors

Climbing trees, building dens and flying kites were all once common childhood pleasures.  And each year the National Trust put together a list of 50 things kids should try before they're 11 and three quarters.  

How many have you done?

Climb a tree

Go fishing

Roll down a hill

Build a den

Fly a kite

Walk in the rain (and jump in puddles!)

Hunt for fossils.