The countryside needs you!

The countryside has more to offer than rambling

Foot-and-mouth means walking and cycling are banned in many areas. Rural tourism is losing £100m a week, and Prime Minister Tony Blair has told people they should still visit the countryside. Here are a handful of things you can still do.

1. Go down a mine at the Big Pit National Mining Museum of Wales, Blaenavon, Gwent. Tel: [phone]

This disused coal mine shut in 1980 and reopened in 1983 as a visitor attraction and museum. Visitors can get a first-hand taste of what life was like down the pit with an underground tour led by a former miner.

2. Knit your own angora jumpers at Anglesey Angora Bunny Farm, Llangefni, Anglesey. Tel: [phone]

About 75 continental angora rabbits are kept in the garden of this unusual farm. Visitors can also look at angora garments made by the owner, who says she also offers knitting classes, and the chance to watch the rabbits' fur being clipped.

3. Talk to the animals at the Dartmoor Wildlife Park and the West Country Falconry Centre, Sparkwell, Dartmoor. Tel: [phone]

Fancy getting close to a falcon?

A number of areas of the park, such as the deer enclosure, are currently roped off to keep visitors back from the animals.

But the park is home to an extensive range of animals which can been seen at close quarters, including big cats and reptiles.

The falconry centre offers bird displays, and visitors are able to handle certain animals, such as birds of prey, snakes, and even tiger cubs

4. Get back to nature at the Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall. Tel: [phone].

This newly-opened attraction is one of the world's largest multi-environment projects, dominated by two giant, futuristic domes, called biomes, which have been built to recreate the Earth's different climates.

Lake Windermere: cruises still operating

Each biome houses thousands of different plant species. The project aims to show how sustainable development depends on plants.

5. Re-visit your childhood at the World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria. Tel: [phone].

This is an indoor recreation of the tales of Beatrix Potter, complete with sounds and smells. Visitors can stroll through various places described in the books, such as Mr McGregor's garden and Mrs Tiggy-winkle's cave.

Costumes from the Royal Ballet's production of The Tales of Beatrix Potter are also on display.

6. Get active on a bonding experience with the Outward Bound Trust which runs four centres. Two are in Cumbria, at Ullswater and Eskdale. The others are at Aberdovey, mid Wales, and Loch Eil, Fort William. Tel: [phone]

Many hours of getting your hands dirty await

Visitors can take part in a wide range of activities in the centres' estates, ranging from canoeing and kayaking to abseiling and orienteering. The centres run family adventure days, as well as courses for schools, businesses and other groups.

7. Go on a cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises. Tel: [phone]

While much of the Lake District off limits to walkers, these cruises offer visitors the chance to view the scenery from the comfort of their vessels on Lake Windermere.

8. Get poetic at the Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries, tel: [phone], and Burns House, Dumfries, tel: [phone]

Thousands of couples get hitched at Gretna Green

The centre, in Dumfries's 18th century watermill on the west bank of the River Nith, tells the story of the final years of Scotland's famous poet.

It houses an exhibition including some of the poet's original handwritten documents and memorabilia.

More items belonging to the poet can be seen in the 18th century Burns House, where he spent the last three years of his life.

9. Throw your own pot at Pot-a-Doodle-Do, Scremerston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. Tel: [phone]

A wide range of art and craft activities are on offer to both adults and children at this creative arts centre, including pottery, ceramics and mosaic-making.

10. Get married at the World Famous Old Blacksmith's Shop Centre, Gretna Green, Dumfries and Galloway.

You don't have to tie the knot here, but thousands of couples do each year. Visitors can learn about Gretna Green's romantic history in the original wedding venue. The museum recreates the blacksmith's living and working environment, and an interactive display recreates an authentic wedding ceremony.