Getting out of the house

Oxfordshire is well known for its lovely countryside, rich and varied wildlife, interesting tourist attractions and scenic waterways.

Yet most of us only see it from a bus or train window, or when we have friends visiting from another country.

Isn't it time you got out into the great outdoors? Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Walking along rivers and canals

An easy start, as most of Oxfordshire's towns are on or near rivers and canals. There are lots of paths along rivers, and all canals have towpaths, and these are great places to explore, naturewatch and offer good routes to the next village, or just a pleasant picnic spot.

The rivers and canals also offer lots of other attractions, like rowing, boating, punting, canoeing, narrowboats and various tourist attractions like the River and Rowing Museum in Henley and Tooley's Working Boatyard in Banbury.

Safety warning! Oxfordshire rivers and canals often flood. Avoid paths along rivers after heavy rain, or when the water is high. You can find out more about river safety here.

Key links for finding your way along Oxfordshire rivers and canals:

• Visit Thames
• Oxford Canal on Waterscape

Hitting the cycle paths

If you want to go further afield, a bike is a great way to get further, faster. In Oxford, so many people cycle that the city is famous for it. But there's plenty to see by bike in the rest of the county too, with cycle routes running through villages, out into the countryside and along rivers and canals.

Safety warning! Many of Oxfordshire's roads are narrow and crowded. Avoid roads with heavy traffic unless you are an experienced cyclist and use cycle routes where they are available. Find out more about cycling safety here.

Here are some ideas and links to get you started:

• Sustrans Easy Bike rides in the South East including the Ridgeway, the Phoenix Trail and Hanson Way
• www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cyclemaps Cycling info from Oxfordshire County Council

Walking up hills and down vales

Walking is possibly the cheapest outdoor activity of all, and most areas have some official walks and good places to explore. Oxfordshire has some really famous walks, including the Cotswolds and National Trails the Ridgeway and the Thames Path.

Safety warning! Walking can be exhausting, especially if you're not used to being outside all day. You can find more advice on keeping cool (and warm) here.

Here are some links to get you started on finding walks in your area:

• www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/countryside Information about countryside, walks and rides in Oxfordshire
• Circular Walks in North Oxfordshire Information, links and leaflets to help you explore North Oxfordshire