IS TRAVEL IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I’m not a natural traveller, but I’ve learnt to ?love it. I think I’ve gone a lot further afield than I would have done because of work, which is a real privilege. It’s a cliché, but travel really does broaden your mind. As I’ve got older, I’ve become better at travelling. I’m a bit of homebody at heart, but I like the fact travel gives you a new perspective on your home, especially when you live somewhere like London. It’s incredible to fly back into the city and think, ‘I live here! Most of the people on the plane are just coming here on holiday, but I live here all the time, this is excellent!’.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CHILDHOOD HOLIDAY?
My parents chose some unusual places to holiday. On one memorable trip we ended up stranded on a ski lift that was struck by lightning in an obscure part of Germany. We were stuck up there for about an hour and had to be brought down the slopes by mountain rescue. But most holidays were spent in a caravan in various parts of the Lake District. I spent so much of my early life there and I loved it.
WHERE DO YOU TRAVEL WITH YOUR OWN KIDS?
We’ve been to Mijas in Spain, which is great and the Spanish are so good with kids. I’m learning that the tried-and-tested family spots tend to be popular for a reason. I’ve started to rediscover the Lake District again with my family. It’s the most ridiculously beautiful nook of the country and I love the walks, the pubs, the endless space for the kids to run around. We’ve also spent quite a bit of time in the New Forest recently, around Brockenhurst, which is gorgeous. The whole area is kind of like a tasting menu for the best bits of the UK; heathlands, nature, woodland, chocolate-box villages and gorgeous coastline.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION?
New York. It’s one of my favourite places in the whole world. London’s the best city in the world, but New York would be a very close second. I’d love to live there. I wouldn’t do so because my family and work are in the UK. I love everything about it – the history, the music, the people. It was the first place I ever went on a plane, when I was in the band (Kenickie). We stayed in some real dives when we were there, but I’d love to go back with my family at some point and do it in style.
AND YOUR FAVOURITE HOTEL OF ALL TIME?
The Samling in the Lake District. We haven’t taken the kids there yet as my husband and I sneak away for a few nights when we’re in the area – the restaurant is amazing and we want to fully enjoy it!
WHAT ITEMS DO YOU NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT?
My phone is so important because it has everything: entertainment for the kids, music, travel apps, email – hey, sometimes it even functions as a phone. And a really good set of headphones are important for good sound quality on a long-haul flight. A cross-body handbag is invaluable for when you’re faffing around and need to have your hands free to look after the kids, shop, explore and everything else.
Suncream and sunblock are important for me as I’m the palest person I know. I always take a party dress because what happens if you go somewhere and start having the most fabulous time and you’ve nothing to wear? And I always travel with a spare bag because, let’s be honest, we all buy stuff while we’re away.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL HOLIDAY?
I’d like to go on a US road trip with my family. Take some time off, get a campervan and head off from the east to the west coast.
Lauren Laverne is working with Royal Caribbean International to celebrate its newest ship,? Anthem of the Seas,