Guide to leisure pursuits for over-50s

If you're over 50, you may have more time for leisure, or you may just be looking for a new interest or activity in your spare time.

Research your family, house or local history

Are you interested in history but unsure how to find out more? You might want to discover more about the history of your family, your house or your locality.

• Archives for family and local history (leisure, home and community section)

Libraries and books

Would you like to get good book suggestions or details of local reading groups? Perhaps you would like to rent a DVD or CDs, or use the internet free of charge, or get help with literacy skills. Your local library offers all these services. Many libraries are also online, so you can search catalogues and renew loans from your home.

• Libraries and books (leisure, home and community section)

Museums and galleries

Want a day out that is fun and educational at the same time? You could try visiting a museum or gallery. There are galleries and museums all over Northern Ireland, catering for a wide range of interests and tastes.

From local history to modern art, dinosaurs to space rockets, there's something for everyone.

• Museums and galleries (leisure, home and community section)
• National Trust in Northern Ireland

Learn a new skill

Learning doesn't have to be formal and you don't have to learn for a qualification. Learning can be fun and a great way to relax and socialise. You might want to develop an existing interest or try something new.

• Learning for the over-50s
• Learning for leisure (education, learning and skills section)

Enjoying waterways

Do you enjoy messing about in boats? You could sail down Strangford Lough or relax in a cabin cruiser along Lough Erne. Find out more about what you can do on waterways.

• Enjoying waterways (leisure, home and community section)

Parks and green spaces

You can find many green and pleasant open spaces where you can have a picnic, play cricket, watch out for wildlife or go hiking in the hills - there's a whole host of activities for you to enjoy.

• Parks and green spaces (leisure, home and community section)

Other outdoor recreation

Taking a walk in the countryside, enjoying a beach, exploring the world of wildlife in a nature reserve or woodland area - there's plenty to do in the great outdoors.

• Outdoor recreation (leisure, home and community section)
• Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland
• National Trust in Northern Ireland
• Wildlife and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Northern Ireland

Sports facilities and events

You can improve your fitness by spending just 30 minutes a day on a physical activity such as gardening, swimming, or walking. It's also easy to find local leisure facilities where you can go for sporting activities such as tennis, squash or keep fit classes.

• Sports facilities and events (health and well-being section)

More useful links

• Travel at home and abroad
• Everyday life and leisure (people with disabilities section)