Birdie, hi!
So imagine it's Friday evening and you're about to spend a weekend frolicking through the countryside. Where are you heading and where are you staying?
I used to go to Cornwall every summer for a holiday, so it’s always a treat to revisit those childhood memories. I particularly love the area around Constantine Bay - the Trevose Headland features a beautiful coastal walking route, but every inch of the Cornish coastline is worth exploring, with its rocky coves, wide sandy beaches and charming villages. A day trip to St Ives, where you can wander around the art galleries and enjoy the general art scene and a delicious lunch, is always a highlight. I’ve stayed in several places, but I always choose somewhere dog-friendly, luxurious yet low-key, with the beach closeby.
That sounds heavenly. And your three essentials for a countryside escape?
- A soft and sumptuous cashmere scarf from Johnstons of Elgin - perfect for a blustery walk along the coast!
- 100 Acres' Beautiful Body Wash - I just love how long the scent lasts and it smells wonderful.
- My Azulejo Notebook from Birdie Fortescue. This decorative and useful notebook has tactile hand-milled paper, and I use it for everything - from taking notes on inspiration to creating my daily shopping list
- And this wonderful 4 in 1 game set - really useful and essential for holidays as well as being a great design
Your top three favourite spots in the whole of the British countryside - any secret ones?!
The North Norfolk coast, of course, although this is no secret! Holkham Beach is my favourite, with such wide, expansive sands it never feels busy and the dogs can run wild! I also love walking from Wells to Burnham Overy Staithe with a pit stop at The Hero for a drink, followed by a walk back through the woodland.
Mull in Scotland is a completely idyllic island with stunning scenery and incredibly peaceful. You’ll be lucky if you catch it on a sunny day, but it's a magical setting in any weather.
I was brought up in the Cotswolds so this is an area close to my heart. The countryside and architecture is so unique and even though it has been taken over by the masses, there are still many hidden spots.