Jenni Falconer: the 10 places that mean the world to me

TV star Jenni Falconer reveals the 10 most important places to her in world.

THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND

I live in London and when I come back to Scotland I need to get to somewhere on the west coast to feel I’m really home.

If I have some free days I love the drive up the A83 to Inverary and then down to Crinan.

It’s just breathtaking.

There are so many drives that are simply stunning. When I did a show called Big Country years ago I saw a lot of nooks and crannies I might otherwise not have visited.

And I love going out to the islands. The beaches are gorgeous, the water is clear and if only it was warmer, it’d be like the Caribbean.

RICHMOND PARK

It’s local to me and we absolutely love going there as it’s a nice respite in the middle of London’s craziness.

We walk our dog Alfie as it’s seven miles round the outside.

There are hundreds of deer roaming about which is beyond exciting as far as Ella’s concerned. I also train there for running or for a 100-mile cycle ride I’m doing in August.

I don’t care if it’s sunny, rainy or snowy the park’s gorgeous all the time.

NEW YORK

I used to go for work and at one stage with GMTV I’d be flying out every weekend to interview stars. One week it might be Meryl Streep, the next it could be Nicole Kidman, Ben Stiller or Robert De Niro.

But what makes it most special was that it’s where James proposed to me. It was on a boat under the Brooklyn Bridge, but…

We were on what had to be the funniest cruise ever. A Billy Joel tribute band was playing and we were having a hilarious evening when, for some reason, James decided that was the perfect time to pop the question.

He didn’t actually go down on one knee, he kind of hovered. I don’t think anyone else noticed but it was unforgettable.

MY BED

Honestly, it’s not as dodgy as it sounds! It’s just because I’m not in it very often. I used to always get eight hours sleep a night but I’m now doing the radio show six days a week.

I get up for work at 2.30am so Saturday morning is the only time I might get that luxury and even that depends on Ella.

I generally don’t get to bed until 9 or 10 at night so sleep doesn’t happen very much.

I might fall asleep on the sofa or even a taxi or a train, but my actual time in bed is lovely.

It’s just the nicest place to be.

MIAMI

James and I went there on our honeymoon. I’d been there for work before but just in and out in a day.

We loved it so much we decided to go back for our fifth anniversary. Mum and dad came to stay and look after Ella. It was really our first weekend away without her and it was the best time ever.

It was a romantic getaway. The bars are great, the beaches are good and there’s a boardwalk that goes for miles.It was just eating good food, having lovely cocktails and totally chilling out in hot, sunny weather.

GLASGOW CURRY HOUSE

When I come back to Glasgow one of the standard things is to go for a curry at the Shenaz.

I had my first curry there when I was 19. Up until that point I had refused to eat one but everyone else did and I went with my mum, dad and uncle. That was me hooked.

I don’t like anything super-spicy I’m more just a tandoori chicken or a korma kind of girl but I just love the whole experience.

CAPE TOWN

My brother Scott moved there about 10 years ago and I try to go and see him every year. We’ve been so often we feel like we’re starting to get to know it. It’s a fascinating place and so big and pretty. The Stellenbosch wine region is spectacular and there’s such a different culture that it’s become one of my favourite places.

MY RADIO STUDIO

I’m on Heart’s early breakfast show from 4 to 6am weekdays and then 6 to 8am on Sunday so I spend a lot of time in the studio and it’s become a little home.

At that time I wake people up or send them to bed if they’re on night shift. I’m relatively new to radio, just the past two years, but I love it.

I’ve had to learn all the technicalities and I still make mistakes and have to apologise.

It’s as if you’re just talking to one person through that microphone and a radio studio has become such a fun place to be.

BARCELONA

We went there last year for the first time as a family and it was fantastic. You wouldn’t think children would enjoy going to a city but Ella calls it “her” holiday and keeps asking when we’re going back.

We hired bikes with Ella on the back and explored. There’s so much beautiful architecture and if you love shopping and trust me I do it’s even cheaper than here.

You can go to cheap and cheerful cafes on the beach and it’s brilliant with a toddler as everywhere is so child-friendly.

THE CINEMA

I absolutely love watching movies. Because I’ve always done reviews and interviewed stars I get invited to screenings and see a lot of films before they come out.

But James and I also get a babysitter and go for date nights. We haven’t seen each other all week so we go and sit in a darkened cinema for two hours and don’t speak to each other!

The only problem is that a warm cinema in the evening is a recipe for falling asleep.

And if I take Ella to children’s films then I may well nod off.

Jenni Falconer has been a familiar face on TV for almost 20 years, having hosted countless travel, entertainment and lifestyle series. She also presents the National Lottery draws and has her own show on Heart Radio. She has been working with P20 Once A Day sun protection on a new Love Our Parks campaign, encouraging people to enjoy days out while staying safe in the sun.