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Centres of Inspiration - The First ever guide to eco days out in the UK
by Sue Irwin-Hunt

From wind turbine tours to wildflower trails, from the Eden Project to the London Wetland Centre, our Green Correspondent reviews the UK's eco-visitor centres brought together in one guide for the first time.

The 'Centres of Inspiration' guide, published by Green Futures Magazine locates more than 20 'eco' visitor attractions across the UK, offering hands-on experiences for kids, practical tips on eco-living and more advanced forays into environmental technology and climate change issues.

Designed as a one-stop shop for visitors, the 32-page, full-colour A5 guide offers up-to-date information about facilities, opening times, admission prices and how to visit on foot, by bike or using public transport. This vital information is clearly laid out in a handy reference panel on every page so there's little excuse for poor planning although the vagaries of our tortured climate cannot of course be relied upon for the open air sites. (IE it could pee with rain all day meaning soggy sandwiches but v.helpful to offset the drought.)

As well as featuring the obvious candidates, the guide also includes some lesser known 'hidden gems' that some readers will be delighted to find on their own door steps, (metaphorically speaking obviously!). Choose between those off the beaten track, hidden away in forests or on cycle trails, so you can make it a real day out or opt for the more accessible for a few hours visit. City based sites like the Horniman Museum and Gardens set in 16 acres in south east London are a true find for the school holidays, with the 5-acre nature trail guaranteed to tire the little darlings out.
Pointers on how to avoid pester power at the dreaded gift shop are not included but if you must persist with this mad consumerism, I would guess that at least some of the money goes to a good cause.

The guide is clearly not all-inclusive and surely omits other places of 'eco-interest' - though I have no insider knowledge on what criteria was set for inclusion. Maybe future editions will expand to include more sites. The guide did however set out to include, 'Great places to explore nature, innovation and eco-living' and it has done this and done it in a user-friendly style, as well as avoiding too many big intimidating words that I don't understand.

Overall 'Centres of Inspiration' lists places of interest ranging in appeal from 3 to 90 year olds and the accompanying blurb provides enough information on what's to do at each, that you should be able to make an informed choice on where to visit.

"We wanted to show that there's a real wealth of centres right here on our doorstep in the UK" says Hannah Bullock, editor of the guide and adds that, "anyone who's at all curious about anything 'green' will come away inspired." - You know, I think she may be right.

Copies are available to the public free of charge at all the visitor centres featured in the guide, and selected Tourist Information Centres across the UK. Readers can also order or download the guide at www.greenfutures.org.uk

Green Futures is a bi-monthly magazine bringing you the latest news on positive progress towards sustainable development in the UK and the rest of the world. Read the latest issue at www.greenfutures.org.uk

Go Green this summer readers…you know it makes sense!