WHETHER it's the park, garden or down in the woods, the outdoors works wonders for wellbeing - whatever your age.

It's well-documented that gardening is good for you. 

Regular gardening can significantly cut the risk of heart attack or stroke and Gardeners World magazine found that green-fingered folk experience less depression.

More recently, a survey by UK charity The National Gardens Scheme found that British adults associate gardens with a range of benefits including relaxation, being in touch with nature, having time to themselves and keeping active.

The benefits of spending time outdoors can work wonders for the health and happiness of people of all ages.

As you get older the garden is like nature's gym. By potting about pulling a weed here, planting a shrub there, mowing the lawn or just watering, it's all good exercise.

Certainly, gardens played a huge role in many childhoods. 

Weekend adventures revolved around building dens, burying and digging up treasures, climbing trees and playing hide and seek.

Of course, not everybody has a garden, and not everybody grows up in the countryside. 

But not having your own garden doesn't mean we can't enjoy the outdoors.

There are community gardens, parks and woodlands - whatever you can find