Home >>Outdoor activites >> outdoor trips

It may not be the weather just yet for laying on the beach, however, this time of year is ideal for another British seaside pursuit - rockpooling.

It is one of those pleasures all the family can enjoy by discovering what lurks around the craggy shoreline of Britian

Anywhere along the miles of British coastline where the seawater gets trapped around rocks once the tide goes out is the perfect haven for weird creatures. And early spring is when these pools start teeming with life.

Of course, rockpools are fragile habitats so you must be careful not to poke around too much with a spade or a net. But it's worth getting a good close-up look at what lies beneath the seaweed and under the jagged rocks. If you're lucky, you'll spot the likes of hermit crabs scuttling about as well as starfish, bright anemone and even a shanny - a fast moving fish. But to make the whole experience more enjoyable, the Wildflife Trust has a new book to make identifying what you spot easier. The Seashore Detectives' Handbook, by Miles Kelly is full of information. And for great locations, visit www.wildlifetrusts.org for pointers. They also organise seashore walks.

One of the best places to explore is Kimmeridge, west of Swanage, in Dorset, which Bill Oddie no less has said is the top spot, partly because of the array of sealife exposed by the bay's double low tide, which give you longer to investigate.

Along the Sussex coast, the rock platform beneath the chalky cliffs at Seven Sisters are revealed as a maze of grooved channels alive with sea creatures once the tide is out.

And heading west to Cornwall, the beaches at St Agnes are great, with exposed rocks at low tide.

Other hotspots the trust flags up are Wembury, South Devon, West Runton, Norfolk, the beach beside Maryport Golf club, Cumbria, Cemlyn, North Wales and the Isle of Mull, West Scotland.

But wherever you go, remember rocks are slippery so take care. And check tidal times so you know how long you have to enjoy this classic and cheap seaside adventure.

Moroccan slow cooked shoulder of lamb
Ingredients 1 Shoulder of lamb (around 1.5kg) 4 tbsp Moroccan tagine-style paste Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon 200ml white wine 2 onions knob of butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tin chickpeas 250g baby

National Offer Day - School Admissions - The Admissions Process Timeline
1st of March is National Offer Day. This is the day across the country thousands of parents wait for an offer letter telling them whether or not their child has a place at their preferred choice of sc

4 Ways to Help Your Kids Eat Better and Eat Healthier
If you want your kids to eat better, you'll need to help them make it happen. Kids are adults in-training and whatever they eat, they will become. Food is habit-forming, good or bad--having the choice

Teeth cleaning
Teaching your child proper oral care at a young age is an investment in their health that will last a lifetime. You can start by setting an example; taking good care of your own teeth sends a messa

Who wants to go rockpooling
It may not be the weather just yet for laying on the beach, however, this time of year is ideal for another British seaside pursuit - rockpooling. It is one of those pleasures all the family can en

Food myth-busters
As a nation we love our food and cannot get enough of all the celebrity chefs and foodie TV programmes that are shown on a daily basis. But according to a new survey from Healthy food guide, many of

Nose bleed...how to treat it
Ok, so you're in the middle of cooking dinner and your child runs to you with their nose bleeding...what do you do... Sit them down and firmly pinch the area just above the nostrils and lean them f

Caribbean curry
INGREDIENTS 1 Onion, chopped 2tbsp sunflower oil 2cm piece root ginger 1 level tsp ground allspice 1 level tsp ground coriander 1 level tsp hot chilli powder 600g sweet potatoes, peeled 500

Rhubarb Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS 400g Rhubarb (trimmed weight) cleaned and cut in pieces 2cm in size 150g Caster sugar 200g Ginger nut biscuits 75g Butter 500g Soft cheese 2 Large eggs 200g Greek style yogurt wit

Bananas...Did you know
* Bananas are the world's most popular fruit * Ripe bananas contain natural sugar, which is easily absorbed by the body to provide a quick energy boost * Bananas are a natural source of vitam