Time to get out more!

It doesn't take a gym or fancy equipment to get fit in London. All you really need is yourself. Discovering new parts of the city is a doddle if you follow one of London's many walking routes, and you'll boost your fitness levels at the same time.

Books and websites of routes abound, so whatever your interest, from ghosts to film locations, there's something for everyone. Transport for London has an extensive list, organised by borough, on www.tfl.gov.uk/ walking.

If you're feeling a bit more energetic, but don't want to forego the occasional pint in pursuit of healthy living, then marry the two with the Hash House Harriers - the running club with a difference.

Not only is competition frowned upon, but the trail of chalk that this merry group of runners follow leads (albeit indirectly) to the pub. Hoorah! Once there, you will do what is professionally known as 'lube-ing', which, to the uninitiated, means drinking pints of ale. Double hoorah! Several clubs operate across London. Visit www.londonhash.org or call the Hash hotline on 020 8995 7879.

Somewhat more graceful is the fast-growing street sport of Freerunning, or Le Parkour, to give it the original French moniker. The principle is simple: you run, jump and shimmy your way across the urban sprawl with as much athleticism and grace as possible. Imagine Spider-Man without the web and you're on the right track. Sounds easy, but it takes practice. See www.urbanfreeflow.com for details of the UK scene.

Another way to explore London is by water - and we're not talking riverboat here. We suggest you do your best Burt Lancaster impression of his 1968 film The Swimmer where, disillusioned or just a bit eccentric, he swims home through his neighbours' pools.

London's version isn't quite so simple, but by ticking off each of our remaining open-air pools you'll not only be giving them muchneeded-revenue, but you'll also explore the capital, from Brockwell and Tooting to Hampstead and Hornsey. See the website www.londonpoolscampaign.com to find out where to swim and what you can do to help restore other parts of the city's aquatic history.