Put your walking boots on, pack a picnic and discover the local countryside. Click on ramblers.org. uk and follow the links to ‘your region’ and find out about all the walks in and around the country, or try shropshirewalking.co.uk where you’ll find detailed maps and directions for following the Shropshire Way.

On the site of the National Birds of Prey Centre and back in the hands of Jemima Parry-Jones, the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Newent offers the unmissable chance not just to see and learn about a wide range of birds of prey but also to watch them in flight at one of the daily flying sessions. International Centre for Birds of Prey: 01531 820286 or 01531 821581.

West Midlands Safari Park offers a perfect combination of fur and fun, with a four-mile safari trail providing sightings of rare white lions, elephants, rhinos, wallabies, wolves and wild dogs, tigers, camels and all kinds of deer and a leisure park where you’ll find 30 rides and attractions with something for all the family. A real value-for-money day out. For more information, visit wmsp.co.uk Relax and enjoy wildlife and nature as it was intended at Rays Farm, a gold-award winning family day out set in the glorious Shropshire countryside near Bridgnorth.

Meander through ancient woodlands and winding pathways, keeping an eye out for the local residents – buzzards, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and the largest privately owned collection of owls in Shropshire and a friendly herd of pygmy goats. Rays Farm Country Matters, Billingsley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 01299 841255.

You don’t need to drive as far as the coast for a sight of marine life. Just head for the heart of Birmingham to discover a wealth of underwater magic. Spectacular displays from touch pools to walk-through underwater tunnels provide breathtaking encounters with everything from shrimps and starfish to seahorses, sharks and rays. Birmingham SeaLife Centre, the Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham. Call 0121 643 6777 or visit sealifeeurope.com for more information.