idyll: tradition spiced with adventure; lazy days on the beach that soon turn into days of discovery. There’s only one drawback – Cornwall is addictive. With the A30 providing a fast-track through the southwest, it’s now a straightforward

discoveries. The trust will then check their entry is an ancient one and, if so, the tree will be added to the UK’s first interactive map of ancient trees.But why are these not-so-sleepy hollows more valuable than their youthful counterparts? “On the oak tree

, York Maze, join its Torchlight Maze event. Put on pyjamas and don't forget to bring a torch to light the way.Activity AfternoonsNow-November 27A variety of wildlife themed activities each weekend at the Discovery Centre in Derbyshire. Each month sees a

carefully, taking in all the details. There’s an exciting bit where the children discover a ship that has been wrecked. I decided it would be nice to draw the children just before the discovery is made, to have them in a boat rowing towards something. I

in the Castle grounds. Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, West SussexApril 22–25Follow the trail for an Easter egg chocolate prize.Discovery Centre in Wistlandpound, near BarnstapleApril 23–25Pick up an Easter trail map and solve the clues to claim a prize

journey of discovery, using all their senses. This is the time when they literally shake, rattle and roll, when things get touched, put in mouths, shaken, pushed over, gawped at and listened to. It’s how the very young attempt to understand the world

abated, but the smell was overwhelming. Recently, scientists have made another important discovery about avoiding winter colds – have a good laugh. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, found that happy people are three times less

visited Ocean Park, an educational aquarium in the south of the island with a mangrove swamp, ray pool, living reef, piranha tank and a shoreline discovery area. There’s also a ‘touch pool’ where you can pick up sorry-looking starfish and conches. As well

. There were white-knuckle rides, but we took it easy on the Skyride that provides great views of the park and the children’s playground with their scrambling nets and climbing frames. If you’ve a penchant for dolphins, Discovery Cove is the perfect place

(over-threes), £1.50 (under-threes).Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2NE.MidlandsFrankfurt Christmas Market in BirminghamNovember 18–December 23The charm of the German Christmas Market comes to Birmingham with chalet style craft