1. Visit the garden of Eden
The Eden Project's huge covered conservatories, or biomes, contain a huge diversity of plant life from rainforests, the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. This summer's Eden Sessions programme, a not-for-profit musical venture held to raise money for the Eden Trust (which supports artists from developing countries), has already featured performances from Pulp, Spiritualized and Beth Orton. Upcoming performances in July and August include the Doves and a one-day Womad international music festival.
The Eden Project, St Austell; nearest station St Austell.
Telephone: 01726 811911
Website: Eden Project
2. Go diving in Oban, Scotland
Dive among the cargo of a shipwreck, the HMS Dartmouth, on the seabed or swim around the only sea waterfalls in the world, the Falls of Lora. There are more than 30 different dive sites in the area.
Alchemy Diving, Tralee Bay, Benderloch, Argyll. From £35 for two boat dives.
Telephone: 01631 720337
Website: Alchemy Diving
3. See Paul Smith's robots
A collection of vintage toy robots owned by fashion designer Paul Smith (including a huge motorised rubber Godzilla and a plastic Cadbury's Smash Martian), as well as his collection of motorised toy spaceships and cars, are on show at the Design Museum. Until August 11, 10am - 5.45pm.
Design Museum, Butler's Wharf, Shad Thames, SE1
Telephone: 020-7940 8790 Website: Design Museum
4. Visit a whiskey distillery
Tour the oldest licensed distillery in the world near the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Ulster. Guided tours are available all year round. Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sunday midday - 5.30pm.
Old Bushmills Distillery, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland
Telephone: 01265 731521
Website: Old Bushmills Distillery
5. Go to the greyhounds
Eat jellied eels and watch from the stands or opt for a three-course meal in the comfort of the restaurant overlooking the traps.
Regal Sunderland Stadium
Telephone: 0191-53 67 250
Website: Sunderland Dogs
Wimbledon Dogs
Telephone: 020-8946 8000
Website: Wimbledon Dogs
6. Play some bog sports
On the August bank holiday, Monday August 26, the annual world bog snorkelling championships will take place in the town of Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales. Competitors swim a 60-yard trench using snorkels and wetsuits.
Tourist Information Centre, Llanwrtyd Wells
Telephone: 01591 610666
Website: Llanwrtyd Wells home page
7. Go kayaking in Scotland
Take a sea kayaking expedition in the far north-west of Scotland. See puffins, gannets, guillemots, shags and the occasional sea eagle off the islands of Lewis and Harris - or, if you are lucky, killer whales and toothless basking sharks. Plenty of other sea and animal life abounds, and diving can also be arranged. £350 per person per week.
Hebridean Exploration, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Telephone: 01851 870716
Website: Hebridean Exploration
8. Learn some maintenance
The Edinburgh-based Bike Co-op runs courses most weekends, and you can choose between an intensive course on the complete bike for around £40 or, if you prefer, learn how to lace, build and true a wheel, which you can take away at the end.
8 Alvanley Terrace, Whitehouse Loan, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh
Telephone 0131 228 1368
Website: www.edinburgh-bicycles.co.uk
9. Visit an aquarium
The Deep, Hull's newly opened aquarium, houses seven species of shark, marine dinosaurs and the world's only underwater lift.
Telephone: 01482 381000
Website: The Deep
For links and information on more aquariums across the country, visit Living Ocean International's list of aquariums.
10. Attend a Masters football match
The Masters is a six-a-side indoor tournament featuring big names such as Ally McCoist, Bobby Robson, Ian Rush and John Barnes. Matches take place throughout the country including Manchester, Glasgow and London. Runs from June 9 to September 8.
Telephone: 020-8952 9525
Website: Masters football
