A walk on the wild side: explore the Avalon Marshes, Somerset

In the shadow of Glastonbury Tor, on the Somerset Levels, our writer discovers a wetland wonderland for wildlife

Can you stand on one leg for 10 seconds? Why balance could be a matter of life and death – and how to improve yours

Studies have shown poor balance can be associated with serious health problems – as well as increased risks of falls as we get older. But there are ways to make yours better

It’s ****ing big and it’s ****ing clever: why swearing makes you fitter, happier and more persuasive

A new scientific paper has confirmed the power of curse words – and not only to shock

Scenic route: feed the spirit with an art walk around Soho, London

Would-be collectors will love exploring this area of the city, which is teeming with exciting spaces showcasing lesser-known and new artists

Street smarts: educational guided walks across the UK

From architecture in London, street art in Belfast and city routes hosted by former homeless people, here are some of the most informative trails on offer

A need for speed: if running is too risky, why not try race walking?

If you’re a runner prone to injury and joint problems, you may need to take up race walking. Just be prepared to look like you need the loo

‘I’m eternally fascinated’: confessions of a ghost writer

Storyteller, nosy neighbour, bad therapist… a friendly ghost must be all these things, says Alexandra Heminsley

‘Balm for the soul’: my beloved, blissful walk in the Forest of Bowland

This magical place is a history-imbued, gives-you-goosebumps expanse of fells, moors and farmland – with a fabulous pub at the end

Giant steps: why walking in nature is good for mind, body and soul

Rather than just moving from A to B, think about your surroundings and the wider ramifications of your walk

Portmeirion to Coleg Harlech: an architectural odyssey in north-west Wales

One’s an architect’s idyll, the other a faded brutalist gem, but both are worth seeing on this scenic coastal hike between the two