Places I like

Widemouth Bay

When I first bought the farm, every Saturday morning we'd all grab our wetsuits, bodyboards and towels and head for the coast. Scarlett had the tiniest wet-suit ever, and Alexander's was not that much bigger! Widemouth Bay on the North Cornwall coast has always been my favourite, because it has great waves, coast guards always on the beach and it feels safe for all the family. It goes without saying that I soon found out that this type of water sport was not my forte, and now I content myself with walking along the beach. It is the most invigorating place to be particularly when there's a storm. I remember one walk when the wind was so strong we had to walk backwards to avoid the sand spray.

This stretch of coast is steeped in the smuggling history, and not far south of Widemouth Bay you can find some amazing little inlets and coves. Also I love the way that when the tide drops it reveals all sorts of interesting rock formations and rock pools. Well worth a visit.

Arundell Arms

The Arundell Arms, owned and run by the wonderful Anne Voss Bark for 40 years, is my local. This is a model for how a country hotel should be run - friendly, unpretentious and comfortable. Generally we have bar food, but sometimes we treat ourselves to dinner in the restaurant. The food is superb and relies on local produce which is truly excellently prepared.

The Arundell Arms is best known for its fishing - it 20 miles of its own water on the Tamar. They have marvellous ghillies who patiently and skillfully teach the art of fly fishing to many who dream of catching a wild brown trout.