Now Look Closer - Fun, Leisure & Entertainment

After a few days of exploring North Lanarkshire and learning more about the area, it's time to unwind and enjoy some quality leisure time.

North Lanarkshire has a superb range of indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities accessible to both visitors and residents. These include swimming pools, ice rink, health suites, gyms, sports pitches, indoor sports halls, fitness studios, golf courses, golf driving range, tennis courts, bowling greens and a water sports centre. In short, something for everyone – regardless of age and experience.

Eight pools within North Lanarkshire offer swimming for fun, fitness and relaxation. Larger centres include the Time Capsule in Coatbridge, which offers tropical storms, giant tidal waves and an erupting volcano, as well as an 'ice age' skating experience. Or try the Aquatec in Motherwell, which boasts a tropical leisure pool with a variety of water features to entertain all ages, in addition to a health suite and fitness studio for adults.

Other swimming facilities can be found in Kilsyth, Tryst Sports Centre in Cumbernauld, John Smith Pool in Airdrie, Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex in Bellshill, Wishaw Sports Centre and Shotts Leisure Centre.

M&D's at Strathclyde Country Park provides thrills and spills with its fairground attractions. There's also food and drink available to round off your visit whether it's day or night!

North Lanarkshire Council plays host to a wide variety of events across the area throughout the year. These range from countryside walks to international rowing events, flower festivals to highland games, and beer festivals to youth arts festivals.

A 'what's on' guide is produced by community services and a copy can be obtained by telephoning 0141 304 1907 or logging on to the council's website at www.northlan.gov.uk.

Each year, lovers of great beer and live music get together for the council's Beer Festival. The event is held in October and local people and visitors alike can sample a selection of brews from across the globe.

Viewpark Gardens near Bellshill is the setting for the yearly Summer Flower Festival, which takes place in June and exhibits a range of stunning floral displays.

If you're looking for some Highland tradition, then visit Shotts Highland Games. Held on the first Saturday in June, competitors gather to toss the caber or throw the hammer – just some of the organised events.

In mid-August, one of Scotland's premier multi-sports event for people with disabilities – Wishaw Games – takes place in Wishaw. A number of sporting activities are featured during the two-day event, including carpet bowling, athletics and swimming.

One of the largest fireworks displays in Scotland is organised by North Lanarkshire Council and takes place on 5 November within Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell. Other displays also take place at Dunbeth Park, Coatbridge, Airdrie Leisure Centre and Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld.

Let us entertain you! From rock concerts to dance events, stand-up comedians to contemporary dance, innovative theatre to classical opera, and arts classes to children's workshops, North Lanarkshire Council provides it all. Three superb venues – Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Bellshill Cultural Centre and Sir John Wilson Town Hall in Airdrie provide a full year-round programme of entertainment.

Cumbernauld Theatre also presents a varied programme of drama, comedy, music and children's entertainment.

Other events to note are North Lanarkshire's Youth Arts Festival, an event for 14-21 year olds, which takes place for two weeks in February. It includes workshops, dance, sculpture, drama and music. Also for children and young people is the Break Out! activities programme, which takes place during the summer months.

A variety of arts classes are on offer and available to anyone aged eight and over, during mornings, afternoons and evenings in a number of venues throughout North Lanarkshire.

For further information on facilities, art classes or rehearsals telephone creative services on 0141 304 1956.

If football's your passion, then give North Lanarkshire's Scottish Football League teams your support – Motherwell Football Club at Fir Park in Motherwell, Clyde Football Club at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, Airdrie United at Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie or Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill in Coatbridge.

If you just want to put your feet up, then catch the most up-to-date movies at the Showcase Cinema Complex in Coatbridge. But before you do that, you could always squeeze in a game of ten-pin bowling or grab a quick bite to eat at one of the establishments in the nearby complex.

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