Free things to do outside
The seasons may be changing and the Great British outdoors beckons. It's a beautiful time of year to explore your local area, with plenty of free activities to keep both adults and children entertained. Here's our handy guide to getting out and about this season:
Walk and explore
Walking is a wonderful way to see your local scenery and get fit at the same time. While you could attend an outdoor gym, you could also download a walking guide app such as iFootpath which is a helpful aid on your phone, packed with great walks, reviews and a GPS. For urban walks, some cities such as Manchester, Oxford and London offer free two-hour walking tours – just google your city for times and meeting points.
Go Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun new phenomenon for the whole family - think the world's largest outdoor treasure hunt! All you need is a smartphone, transport and a go-getting spirit. A geocacher hides a small box of items in a countryside beauty spot, then uploads its co-ordinates to Geocaching. You then start the hunt and on locating the box, swap an item for something of your own. An adventurous swap shop.
Forest fun
The nation's forests are fantastic free locations for any time of the year. Take a look at the Woodland Trust website for a comprehensive guide to the best forests to visit all over the country. There's plenty to do in the woods, from identifying trees and wildflowers, to group twilight treks and even bat walks. You may even stumble across a free outdoor pool!
Take a history tour
Smartphones have made learning about our local history super accessible and the best thing is it's free. Download an app like Field Trip, which uses your location to identify the most interesting historical places near to you, wherever you are. The app also flags up cool local restaurants and shops, so you can combine your outdoor culture trip with a spot of lunch.
Outdoor art
Great art isn't just in galleries; there are tons of fascinating outdoor exhibitions in Britain waiting to be discovered. The Wander Art Trail in Yorkshire boasts a series of art installations on its walking trail, while the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail in North Shropshire is a must-visit - and don't forget Banksy's famous street art in Bristol. There's stacks to see, just Google to find the closest free art events near you.
