Forget nightlife, Tenerife is the island for a workout holiday

Tenerife's sunny climate and rugged terrain make it a favourite training base for many Olympic athletes. Rachel Dixon finds out why on a boxing break

Whitewater kayaking in Wales

On a cold river in Wales, Kevin Rushby wonders whether the right tuition and 10,000 hours' practice could ever be enough to master the dark art of whitewater kayaking

Emma’s Eccentric Britain: archery in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

Emma Kennedy always suspected she had a hidden talent for archery – and then she scored a bullseye with her first arrow in Sherwood Forest

Where to try Olympic sports

From BMXing in Manchester to diving in Acapulco or taekwondo in Korea, Rachel Dixon has found great places to try an Olympic sport – or even get in training for 2016

Scotland for the soul: a relaxation retreat in the Highlands

Kate Edgley heads to the Highlands for a new retreat that strips life back to the simple pleasures of being creative in the midst of one of the UK's last great wildernesses

Walk your way to health and happiness

The Walking for Health scheme encourages people who might not otherwise go and out and about by foot. Naseem Khan joins them on a stomp around Bermondsey, south London

Emma’s Eccentric Britain: Nordic walking in County Durham

Nordic walking may sound like a fad, but Emma Kennedy finds it does wonders for her bingo wings

Flexible yoga holidays in Formentera

Lisa Allardice enjoys a yoga break in Formentera that offers sun, sand and good food as well as serious teaching

Disney cancels plan to open fitness park after obesity ‘bullying’ claims

Habit Heroes shuttered after cries it stigmatized overweight children with villains called Snacker and The Glutton

So what is it about Carlisle that makes it Britain’s happiest city?

The city has been named the most contented place in Britain. Residents say the reasons for their happiness go much deeper – it's all about people