Spring into action
Convince yourself that spring has sprung with a visit to Painswick Rococo Garden to see the snowdrops. There are plenty of cosy Cotswold pubs in the vicinity with open fires and good food.
• Open daily 11am-5pm. £3.30/£1.75. Painswick, Gloucestershire. (01452 813204). Gloucestershire Tourism: 01452 425673.
Heirs and graces
The literary, intellectual and artistic achievements of The Bloomsbury Group live on in Bloomsbury Heirs, a display of work by students of the original gathering.
• Until February 7. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Free. Oxford Gallery, 23 High Street, Oxford (01865 242731).
Workers unite
Join the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in February and March to build bridges, paths, fences and steps in the Edinburgh area.
• Tues-Thur, 9.30am-5pm. Free. Various venues. 0131-332 8700.
Back to nature
An apothecary's garden and a scale model of the River Tees are among the attractions at the Nature's World Environmental Centre. Three adventure playgrounds, tea rooms, plant and gift shops, too.
• Open daily 10am-3.30pm. £2.50/ £1.50/family £6. Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough (01642 594895).
Art of the matter
Works from the 18th century to the modern day are on display at the annual Watercolours and Drawings Fair.
• Sat/Sun. Prices from £50. Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London W1. Tickets and information: 07000 785613.
The hills are alive
Through the doors of Shropshire's brand-new Secret Hills Discovery Centre, visitors are led on a trail back through time to discover how the Shropshire Hills were first created and how they have inspired writers, poets and artists ever since. Twenty-five acres of meadowland give further insight.
• Open daily from next Friday,10am-3.30pm. £4.25/£2.75/family £12.20. School Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire (01588 676000).
Eat your heart out
Chocaholics of all ages will find something tasty at Cadbury World. The story of chocolate begins with the Aztecs and Mayans in a mocked-up jungle and leads via Victorian Birmingham and the Quaker Cadbury family to an enormous confectionery shop.
• Open Weds/Thurs/Sat/Sun; daily after February 14. £8.25/£6.25/family discounts. Off Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham (0121-451 4159, www.cadbury.co.uk.
