Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire ( @ Mike Kipling/Corbis)

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire ( @ Mike Kipling/Corbis)

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• The appearance of this species of bulbous herbaceous plant should put a spring in your step.""Their much-anticipated arrival is said to signal the start of a new season
• This captivating clump of Galanthus has sprouted up in the most glorious of surroundings.""Where is this ancient abbey, an official World Heritage site?
• According to folklore, these refreshing flowers can banish winter.""In which case, perhaps we should look at some more?
• Since being founded in 1132, this beautifully-preserved Cistercian house has enjoyed a rich national history.""It\s also embraced pop culture, featuring in a video for which chart-topping UK act?

Aurora borealis over Vee Lake near Yellowknife, Canada (@ Michael Ericsson/Getty Images)

Aurora borealis over Vee Lake near Yellowknife, Canada (@ Michael Ericsson/Getty Images)

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• The aurora borealis is named after the Roman goddess of dawn.""Find out the stunning truth about this celestial canvas
• Worried about catching frostbite in the pursuit of the light fantastic?""Do it this way and a roaring fire is always close at hand
• Do you think this looks like a huge lava lamp?""Amazingly, the sky is entirely unplugged
• This northern lights hotspot was named after a local tribe known as the Copper Indians.""These days, tourists chasing such a spectacular sight bring in $100m every year

Mantles of giant clams in Kingman Reef, Pacific Ocean (@ Brian J. Skerry/Getty Images)

Mantles of giant clams in Kingman Reef, Pacific Ocean (@ Brian J. Skerry/Getty Images)

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• Meet Tridacna gigas, native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.""They can weigh more than 200 kgs and have an average lifespan of more than 100 years
• Massive molluscs like these were once considered man-eaters and monsters of the deep.""Is there any truth to those clams, er claims?
• The highest point of this coral reef is less than two metres above sea level, making it a maritime hazard.""Perhaps you\d be better off finding out more before dipping a toe in the water?
• The colourful creatures pictured here are part of the largest living bivalve mollusc family.""Happily, you don\t need a scuba-diving licence to take a closer look at these pics

Ice climber ascending a frozen waterfall in Telluride, Colorado, USA (@ Brian Bailey/Getty Images

Ice climber ascending a frozen waterfall in Telluride, Colorado, USA (@ Brian Bailey/Getty Images

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• Dreaming of a dangerous hobby but petrified of taking the plunge?""See what you\re up against in this gallery of gorges
• This mining town is famed for gold discovery as well as winter sports.""Butch Cassidy reportedly pulled off his first bank job here
• Here\s an option for beginners who want to scale this slippery stuff.""Are you ready for the Ice Factor?
• Does touching the void sound like a sensible way to spend your spare time?""These two intrepid explorers lived to tell the tale…

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (@ Joe Mamer/Age footstock)

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (@ Joe Mamer/Age footstock)

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• This spectacular Victorian conservatory sits at the centre of a 384-acre park.""It\s described as \"a horticulturist\s dream”
• Two million people visit this attraction, which also boasts a zoo, every year.""In 1994, which animal escaped after scaling a five-metre concrete wall?
• The US state featured here is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and experiences long winters.""The weather is generally freezing - it\s snow joke
• An international pop icon is perhaps this region\s favourite son.""Surely you must be familiar with his purple reign?

Bicycle photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Life Cycle UK

Bicycle photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Life Cycle UK

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• Riding for just 15 minutes a day is said to add three extra years to your life expectancy.""What are the health benefits of getting a bike?
• Life Cycle UK is a Bristol-based organisation aiming to help people make cycling part of their everyday lives.""Wheelie over here to find out more
• Did you know cyclists take fewer sick days than non-cyclists and breathe in fewer fumes than drivers on congested roads?""Read an exclusive blog from our expert - he really knows the highway code
• There was a time when travelling on two wheels seemed about as likely as a round Earth.""Which German baron changed all that forever?

Speech bubbles as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity User Voice

Speech bubbles as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity User Voice

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• ‘Only offenders can stop re-offending\ is this organisation\s defining message.""Shall we explore the realities behind the cycle of crime?
• User Voice aims to foster dialogue between those with criminal justice experience and the system itself.""These speech bubbles represent their opportunity to speak out - learn more here
• This charity is run by many ex-offenders, determined to turn their negative former lives into positive futures.""Read an exclusive blog from one of them about his work
• Want to add your voice to this campaign?""The challenges outside prison are often tougher than those inside

Rescued dog posing for a photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity All Dogs Matter

Rescued dog posing for a photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity All Dogs Matter

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• These animals are great for fun, security, company - and eating any random cakes left lying around.""Dog walking also burns calories - what are the health benefits of having your own mutt?
• All Dogs Matter is a voluntary rescue charity whose aim is to rehome dogs in and around London.""They placed 220 in their first year alone and are completely reliant on donations
• This little fella is just one of more than 97,000 strays taken in by local councils in the UK last year.""Around 6,710 had to be put to sleep - something this man wants to try and stop
• The UK pet population in 2011 included an estimated eight million dogs.""Clearly, we\re a nation of dog lovers - but which of these is the cutest?

Handprints photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Lifelites

Handprints photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Lifelites

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• An estimated 23,500 terminally ill young people in the UK will die before they reach adulthood.""It\s a startling statistic - but what can you do to make a difference?
• These day-glo handprints were created by children who received help from Lifelites.""‘Giving kids with limited life unlimited possibilities\ is their compelling motto - how do they do it?
• What\s it like being part of the red, green and blue hand gang?""We asked them to give us an exclusive insight into their work
• Lifelites started out in 1999 and seeks to provide education and entertainment technology for children in hospices.""Want to see how they manage it? Walk this way…

Stack of toast photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Magic Breakfast

Stack of toast photo as part of Bing Help Your Britain with the charity Magic Breakfast

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• This bread skyscraper forms part of the most important meal of the day.""But what are the actual benefits of eating early?
• ‘Fuel for learning\ is the cheeky motto of UK charity Magic Breakfast.""They run a free service in 200 schools, feeding 6,000 children every morning
• There\s more to this organisation than cleverly balancing pieces of toast on top of each other, you know.""They told us why no child should start the day too hungry to learn…
• Almost four million UK children are growing up in poverty.""Find out more about this shocking statistic

Detail of a banana leaf, Mainau Island, Germany (@ Egon Bömsch /Age footstock)

Detail of a banana leaf, Mainau Island, Germany (@ Egon Bömsch /Age footstock)

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• We should take a leaf from the plant kingdom as solar power accounts for less than 1% of the world\s total energy consumption.""These pretty potent power producers make all of theirs
• This leaf belongs to just one of the 500 species of tree that reside on this tiny island.""There are also 30,000 rose bushes and 20,000 dahlias!
• It may come as a surprise but botanically a banana tree isn\t a tree at all, it\s actually a herb.""Doesn\t that make you feel better about cooking with it?
• “This is Eric, a schoolboy who lives an amazing double life. For when Eric eats a banana an amazing transformation occurs…”""Which fruity superhero does this 80s TV icon become?

Concorde (@ Peter Burian/Corbis)

Concorde (@ Peter Burian/Corbis)

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• This iconic aeroplane first took to the skies on this day in 1976.""For 27 years it was the fastest commercial flyer
• It\s easy to bang on about this aircraft, especially when it hits 761mph.""‘Hears\ what to expect
• At the time, this plane was one of the most advanced out there but what do you think they will look like in the future?""See what pilots could be flying in a few years\ time
• This represents £1.3 billion of hi-tech engineering and design.""On the other hand, if you\re looking for something a little cheaper you could fly these ridiculous contraptions

King Penguin colony on South Georgia Island (@ Frans Lanting/Corbis)

King Penguin colony on South Georgia Island (@ Frans Lanting/Corbis)

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• When Captain Cook set foot on this island in 1775 he promptly named it in honour of King George III.""But by the look of it there is only one ‘king\ here
• There are an estimated 2.23 million pairs of King Penguins here.""This means plenty more amazing images
• Penguins huddle together like this to keep themselves safe and warm but there is one kind that have another method to stay toasty.""Did you know penguins could fly?
• You might think it seems a little daft but a penguin is actually the Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian Royal Guard.""He lives in Scotland and even has a knighthood!

Umbrellas on a beach in Cape Town, South Africa (@ Roger Wright/Getty Images)

Umbrellas on a beach in Cape Town, South Africa (@ Roger Wright/Getty Images)

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• Where do you take your umbrella when there\s not a hint of rain in these parts?""This spot is a good start
• If you come here for a cool Atlantic dip, you won\t be alone.""Look up and you\ll see the local gentle giant
• It\s hard to shake off the winter blues in the UK so if you really want to run to the sun you\ll have to hit the southern hemisphere.""Things are really heating up down here
• Your mission: Sit down on a sandy beach, survey the sky and sip on a sundowner.""Revived? Get dressed and explore this multicultural mecca

Commonwealth Place in Canberra, Australia (@ Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images)

Commonwealth Place in Canberra, Australia (@ Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images)

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• Intriguingly, this exotic vista actually has a very dark side.""It lies in the imposing shadow of Black Mountain
• The architect who designed today\s destination was chosen after winning an international competition.""\"I have planned a city that is not like any other in the world,\" he said in 1912
• This country is more than 30 times the size of the UK.""And yet the capital has a population of just 345,000
• The surrounding square is in the Parliamentary Zone and close to the national seat of power.""A display of 96 international flags, reported to be the largest in the world, lines the lake shore

Fishing village of Reine, in the Lofoten Islands, Norway (@ Frank Krahmer/Corbis)

Fishing village of Reine, in the Lofoten Islands, Norway (@ Frank Krahmer/Corbis)

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• People have flourished in this fishing village for hundreds of years.""Winters may be harsh but you can\t beat the views
• What happens when an English treasure goes in search of a Norwegian one?""Watch this awe-inspiring journey
• You won\t get many of these vistas at this time of the year.""But in the summer, the sights are far more spectacular
• Just 340 people live here and it\s not hard to see why.""Just imagine how far you need to go for a warm beach holiday!

Bridge of Arts in Paris, France (@ Maurizio Rellini/SIME/4Corbers)

Bridge of Arts in Paris, France (@ Maurizio Rellini/SIME/4Corbers)

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• First built in 1804, this bridge sustained serious damage in WWI and WWII.""It collapsed in 1979 and has since been rebuilt almost identically
• This steel structure is said to hold the key to many couples\ hearts.""It\s called \Passerelle des Amoureux\ (footbridge of the lovers) for good reason
• The 155m-long walkway links the French Institute to the Louvre.""Millions have crossed the Seine to visit the world\s most visited art museum
• The bridge has guest-starred in Sex and the City, Amelie and The Bourne Identity.""But which English actress put on a Titanic display here?

Great Court roof, British Museum in London, England (@ D.V.A./age footstock)

Great Court roof, British Museum in London, England (@ D.V.A./age footstock)

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• Opened in 1759, Marx, Wilde, Stoker, Kipling, Orwell, Twain and Wells have all used this building\s iconic reading room.""Alfred Hitchcock even shot the climax to one of his films here
• What do you call a pattern like this, made by 1,656 pairs of windows?""A titillating tessellation
• This museum houses an unrivalled collection of historical prizes.""There are more than eight million objects spread across 14 acres
• A staggering 100,000 Egyptian antiquities are among the ancient artefacts here.""It\s said to be more than even this grisly underground tomb can muster...

Reflection on Blue Lake, adjacent to St. Bathans, Central Otago, New Zealand (@ Colin Monteath/age footstock)

Reflection on Blue Lake, adjacent to St. Bathans, Central Otago, New Zealand (@ Colin Monteath/age footstock)

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• The water here has an unnatural turquoise tint.""Why do you think it\s called Blue Lake?
• You might recognise this spot from a blockbusting film trilogy.""Take a helicopter tour of Middle Earth
• Beautiful scenery and an epic landscape - so what\s the catch?""Everywhere you go, you always take the weather...
• This is considered one of the world\s top travel destinations.""It\s not hard to see why…

People fishing at sunset near Kerala, India (@ Anders Blomqvist/Lonely Planet Images)

People fishing at sunset near Kerala, India (@ Anders Blomqvist/Lonely Planet Images)

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• You\d probably never guess that this unusual contraption is actually an elaborate fishing rod.""So how does it work?
• Dense coconut forests line the shores here so it\s not surprising what\s for dinner.""Tuck in to this coco-crazy cuisine
• People live and work on the water around here.""It\s only natural that this is how they play…
• This expansive ocean stretches far from a city known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.""Do you know where it is?

Great Horned Owl in Alberta, Canada (@ Wayne Lynch/Corbis)

Great Horned Owl in Alberta, Canada (@ Wayne Lynch/Corbis)

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• Say hello to the most widely-dispersed true owl in the Americas.""It is also know as Bubo virginianus or (less confusingly) the Tiger Owl
• Have you ever seen an owl asleep lying down?""In fact, have you ever seen an owl asleep standing up?
• These night-time predators can twist their heads 280°.""It\s a bit like David Attenborough directing The Exorcist but quite a lot cuter…
• Our feathered friend\s beautiful plumage is not its only distinctive quality.""It has an irresistible mating call too.

Skeins of fabric hung out to dry in the dyers souk, Marrakech, Morocco (@ Peter Adams Photography Ltd./Getty Images)

Skeins of fabric hung out to dry in the dyers souk, Marrakech, Morocco (@ Peter Adams Photography Ltd./Getty Images)

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• This is just one part of the largest and busiest traditional market in Morocco.""Bet you\re just ‘dyeing\ to know where it is
• This whole country was once known as the Kingdom of the city featured here.""Where is it?
• The name of the indigenous people of this region is said to mean ‘free\ or ‘noble\.""Who are they?
• Visitors to this place will no doubt be enthralled by the smells of the food and the culture of the locals.""This is probably the best place to ‘souk\ up the atmosphere

Glen Quaich, Scotland (@ Angus Clyne/Getty Images)

Glen Quaich, Scotland (@ Angus Clyne/Getty Images)

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• If you want to catch this spectacular sunrise your best bet is to pitch a tent.""If that\s a chilling thought, you could always drive from Perth
• This glorious glen cuts through the heart of the Scottish countryside.""Wait a sec, what is a glen anyway?
• “Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes, And o\er the chrystal streamlets plays; Come let us spend the lightsome days In the birks of Aberfeldy.”""Which famous poet wrote so eloquently of this place?
• If you think it looks a little frosty here, 30 years ago today, another Scottish spot plunged to the UK record low temperature of -27.2°C.""Find out where and other UK extremes

Female green ringtail possum with a joey in her pouch, Queensland, Australia (@ Dave Watts/Visuals Unlimited, Inc.)

Female green ringtail possum with a joey in her pouch, Queensland, Australia (@ Dave Watts/Visuals Unlimited, Inc.)

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• If you take to the treetops you might be lucky and see one of these arboreal animals.""They only ever come to ground if there is too great a gap between branches
• The name ‘black, grey, yellow and white ringtail possum\ doesn\t sound as catchy as their actual name.""See what you get if you mix all the colours together
• These clever creatures come with a built-in baby buggy.""Have a look at more marsupial mummies
• Despite living only in a tiny part of the world, these cuddly critters are so highly adaptable they aren\t considered threatened.""Where will you have to head to see them?

Sunrise over the walls of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China (@ Travelasia/Asia Images/Getty Images)

Sunrise over the walls of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China (@ Travelasia/Asia Images/Getty Images)

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• Construction of this palace began in 1406.""The complex has 9000 rooms and is protected by 10m high walls
• This magnificent building overlooks a square synonymous with political struggle.""Would you stand in the way of a tank? This man did...
• The piercing painted eyes of which leader survey the masses?""For nearly 30 years, he was the undisputed chairman of the board
• You are forbidden from confusing this city with another.""Which holy hotspot bears the same name?

Over 50 hot air balloons attempt the largest ever balloon crossing of the English channel - April 2007 (@ Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Over 50 hot air balloons attempt the largest ever balloon crossing of the English channel - April 2007 (@ Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

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• These airborne adventurers should be across the English Channel in no time.""Which Frenchman was the first to complete the journey, way back in 1785?
• This is one of the UK\s most distinctive stretches of coastline.""There\ll be balloons over, the White Cliffs of Dover...
• Travelling in one of these vessels is a lot harder than it looks.""Perhaps we should just stick to looking at them?
• Foolhardy types have used all manner of contraptions to attempt this journey.""Including some famous TV stars - is that thing in top gear?

Skier making turns on a ridge near Valdez, Alaska, USA (@ Wink Inc./Footage Search)

Skier making turns on a ridge near Valdez, Alaska, USA (@ Wink Inc./Footage Search)

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• This is one outdoor activity where you\re expected to leave your tracks behind.""Some get ‘board\ of having their feet on the ground - check out these high-flying heroes
• If you want to explore the powder at this resort, there\s a project geared towards going off-piste.""Many of the runs are on older, long-forgotten slopes
• This ridge\s highest point, Mount Marcus Baker, is over 4,000m high.""Where is this mountain range?
• Foolhardy souls need more than a button lift to get way up here""Does your ski pass include helicopters?

Green leaf mantis (@ Norbert Wu/Corbis)

Green leaf mantis (@ Norbert Wu/Corbis)

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• These weird insects may look like beings from another world but fear not…""They\ve only come to invade your screen rather than your planet!
• Here\s a tasty quiz for you:""Do you know what entomophagy means?
• Imagine tucking into a treat twice your size.""That\s no tall order for these peculiar predators...
• The deadly precision with which these creatures attack has inspired a style of Kung Fu.""Ready to master this martial art?

Statue of Sir Isaac Newton, British Library, London (@ G R Richardson/age fotostock)

Statue of Sir Isaac Newton, British Library, London (@ G R Richardson/age fotostock)

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• He was a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, alchemist and theologian.""Who is this deep-thinking polymath, born today in 1643?
• This bronze statue was created by Scottish sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi.""His 1947 collage, I was a Rich Man\s Plaything, inspired an entire art movement
• This weighty work was unveiled in 1995 in London.""But we can trace it back to a painting created 200 years earlier…
• We\re on safe ground calling Sir Isaac Newton one of the greatest scientists in history.""A core part of this iconic reputation is based on apples

Aerial view of a dock in Martinique, France (@ Guido Alberto Rossi/Axiom)

Aerial view of a dock in Martinique, France (@ Guido Alberto Rossi/Axiom)

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• This pier can be found in a group of tropical paradises known as the Windward Islands.""Why this unusual name?
• More than 4,000 miles separate this island from Europe but you can still expect to pay for your morning croissant in euros.""Where is it?
• In 1902, this was a calm little colony until a catastrophic event came and rocked the boat.""See what happened
• Dangle a rod off the end of this pier and you\re likely to catch a tasty fish.""Find out how the locals would cook it up

Painted backstreet of Dozza in the province of Bologna, Italy (@ SIME/eStock Photos)

Painted backstreet of Dozza in the province of Bologna, Italy (@ SIME/eStock Photos)

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• Every two years, artists come to this beautiful medieval village…""...to paint the town
• Sometimes the art here can be a little off the wall.""For instance…
• Walking through this urban gallery will work up an appetite.""Time for the world-famous local red sauce
• The nearby town of Imola played host to the San Marino Grand Prix until 2006.""In 1994, which Formula 1 legend began his tragic final race here from pole position?