Latest news with #Padstow
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Fern Britton: ‘My mum died, my dad died, then my marriage died'
Fern Britton beams at me through my laptop screen, looking joyful and glowy, with a light tan thanks to the blissful spring weather she's been enjoying at her home, close to Padstow in Cornwall. Looking easily a decade younger than her 67 years – she'll be 68 next month – Britton is here to talk to me (bar interruption by one of her three cats) about her latest novel, her 11th, A Cornish Legacy. But of course there is a lot of other ground to cover as well. Britton is after all one of our best loved TV presenters, who co-presented Breakfast Time in the 1980s before moving onto Ready Steady Cook – where she met now ex-husband Phil Vickery – and then to This Morning, where she co-hosted with Phillip Schofield until 2009, leaving amid reports of a feud. Last year she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, coming fifth, and as well as regularly popping up on our screens since her This Morning departure, she's also dedicated herself to her novel-writing. Several are set in Cornwall, where she moved after her split from Vickery, father of her child Winnie. She also has grown up children – twins Harry and Jack and daughter Grace – from her marriage to Clive Jones. As we chat, she explains her latest plot centres around a character, Cordelia Jago, who has lost everything but is then left a house in Cornwall. With Britton having experienced a very difficult few years herself, is the plot semi-autobiographical? 'Not intentionally so, but I think the unconscious mind talks to you. I didn't realise it for a while and then I thought, hang on, this is sort of the life I've had for the last few years – but without the sprawling old mansion. In contrast, my house is very normal and only 30 years old.' Though she determinedly makes light of it, life has thrown one misfortune after another in her direction over the past decade. Having undergone a hysterectomy in 2016, she contracted sepsis and very nearly died. 'Then my mum died in 2018 and my dad died in 2019 and then my marriage [to chef Phil Vickery] died. Next, I discovered that my phone had been hacked for 15 years [by News of the World ]. And last year a man who was stalking me for several years went to court and was given a restraining order. For a while, I was wondering what else could possibly happen. But lots of women endure difficult stuff and we just live with it and keep going.' Key to her resilience and recovery from all the tumult has been, much like her latest heroine, her surroundings. She can walk to the beach in under half an hour and when she sleeps with the windows open, she can hear the sea from her bed. 'Cornwall is my medicine. It feels like a very comforting, healing place to me,' she says. So much so that, despite previously talking openly about needing anti-depressants for several years, she is now medication-free, her last prescription being some three or four years ago. 'I'm in a good place. I know the difference between depression and a kind of overloaded anxiety that we all get. I feel that I've found the person that I used to be and I'm enjoying life and having fun.' There's no hankering after her former Buckinghamshire home and, although she acknowledges she didn't anticipate being single and needing to work in her mid-60s, there's no bitterness when she talks about the end of her second marriage. ' Divorce is not a breeze. No matter how you hope it's going to be easy and pain-free, inevitably it isn't. It's difficult and brings up a lot of unpleasant characteristics in everybody. Then, when it's finally over, there's a little bit of time where you have to just let the emotions subside. And then you can start looking back on how things were good and it was unfortunate that it just ran out of steam or whatever it was.' So, working on her novels comes from a place of need – as well as enjoying writing, Britton reveals she's disciplined at making herself sit at her desk every morning for a few hours before spending time with friends or out in nature in the afternoon. 'I have to be motivated because no one's going to look after me, and it's vital that women are financially independent. We can't say it loudly or more often enough to young women, and there's no shame in it. We need to be able to earn money and look after ourselves.' She's also become very motivated when it comes to looking after her health, she says. Just before the pandemic, in early 2020, she injured her right shoulder badly while emptying her bin and endured more than two years of severe pain. Partly as a result of this and the repeated lockdowns of that time, she started smoking and didn't focus on exercise or diet. It was thanks to the NHS surgeon who recommended a full shoulder replacement that she took herself in hand, she says. In the initial consultation he told her to quit smoking and suggested she lose some weight to best prepare for the operation. 'I had a year to get fit for the operation, so did the Couch to 5km app and gave up smoking. That and being pain-free after the operation has been a great gift. It's given me such a boost.' Now, as well as jogging three times a week, she is also doing weights and stretches to keep herself in good shape and she's noticed her legs getting noticeably stronger and her tummy getting flatter. 'Actually, I'm very proud of myself. People are obsessed with what size you are and this isn't about that. This is about staying fit for my kids so they don't have to worry about me and it's about enjoying this stage of life.' When I ask what she thinks of the current craze for midlifers to turn to drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro to control their weight rather than how she's doing it, Britton is entirely non-judgemental and says everyone needs to choose what is right for them. Moreover, she is passionate about people being allowed to keep their diet tactics private, rather than feeling they must tell everyone about it. She clearly still feels bruised by the tabloid stories about her own choice to have a gastric band back in the days she was presenting This Morning – stories that she now knows only came to light because her phone was hacked. 'I would say to anyone, do what you feel you need to feel good about yourself. If you want to take a medicine to kick start your weight loss then do it and you don't have to tell anyone about it,' she says. 'After my gastric band, I never felt guilty about it. I just thought, I'd do this one thing for me. But that privacy was taken away from me. And I couldn't work out who was saying these things. It had an awful impact on my life. And it damaged my relationship with my mother, who died before the truth came to light.' Among the pastimes helping her put such terrible hurt behind her is hanging out with a couple of very close friends who live nearby, going by the nicknames of Two Cups and Boo – the three of them enjoying weekly line-dancing classes together complete with 'proper cowboy boots'. And being a regular churchgoer has also become an important part of her life, providing a 'lovely, supportive community of people'. We can also look forward to Britton being back on our screens from July, when she presents a new programme, Fern Britton: Inside The Vet's, on ITV1 and ITVX, something she's loved filming. This reveals what happens to beloved pets behind closed doors when they need medical treatment. 'We see it all – I've been in on lots of operations and there are some really good stories,' she says. 'It's uplifting and very warm.' So, looking ahead, what ambitions does she have both professionally and personally? Her dream, she shares, would be for one of her novels to be made into a movie – possibly The Good Servant, published in 2022, which told the story of a royal governess in the 1930s. 'I'm not betting the ranch on it, but there's some interest and it would be amazing if that happened.' She's also working on the next novel, which she says is currently flowing easily. Meanwhile, when it comes to family Britton says she's learnt not to ask any of her four adult children about the prospect of grandchildren; 'They all say to me, 'Mother, don't even ask!'' But for herself she isn't ruling out the prospect of finding new love – 'the door is unlocked to that. Not exactly open, but unlocked,' she says. 'In A Cornish Legacy, you'll have to read to the end, but a very nice man arrives for Cordelia. He's called Ray – normal name, normal guy. What you see is what you get and he's great. Someone like that would do.'
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Funding boost for Camel Trail extension project
A popular Cornish trail's potential extension has taken a step forward after a funding was secured for part of the Cornwall MP Ben Maguire said a large portion of the £200,000 funding needed for a feasibility study to look into extending the Camel Trail to Camelford had been secured from the government and Cornwall 18-mile (29km) path used by about 400,000 cyclists and walkers every year currently runs along a disused railway line from Padstow to said extending the trail felt like a "no-brainer" and the idea has also been welcomed by traders who felt it could boost business in Camelford. He said it was "very early days" as more funding would be needed before the feasibility study could take the project does happen, he said it would be a "brilliant boost for north Cornwall, for Camelford and actually Cornwall as a whole" for a "fantastic multi-use trail that's already a huge success story". Kelly Arries, director of Wadebridge-based Bridge Bike Hire, said the trail was a "massive asset" locally and extending it to Camelford would be a great said: "I think it's really exciting and Camelford has loads to gain from it."Jamie Squire, landlord of The Mason Arms in Camelford, said he was slightly sceptical about where the trail would go in the town, but thought it would help encourage more people to visit."I think it would bring more people into Camelford because at the minute it's just passing trade," he said. Mark Burnett, Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle, said he fully supported the said: "It makes perfect sense because part of the name Camelford is in the name of the Camel Trail."Anything that brings footfall and increased tourism into the town using the shops, the cafes, the pubs and other facilities has got to be welcomed in my view."
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Lobster 'releasathon' marks Cornish hatchery's anniversary
A Cornish marine conservation charity has been releasing baby lobsters into the wild to celebrate its 25th National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) was founded in Padstow in August 2000 to help preserve, research and educatedthe public about the European the charity is doing 25 releases in as many days as part of a "releasathon" to celebrate the Johns, senior technician at NLH, told BBC Radio Cornwall it was the "perfect point" in time to release the 300 baby lobsters - each about 10 weeks old and an inch (2.5cm) long. Mr Johns said: "It's at this stage in their life cycle that they become benthic, meaning they settle on the seabed and live in there [for 12 to 18 months]."He said burrowing in the sediment was an important stage in the lobsters' lives as it helped them learn how to live in the releasaton started in St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, with further releases planned around the county, including one near St Michael's Mount.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Britain's most expensive seaside towns and cheaper ‘hidden gems' revealed
With its golden beaches and associations with luxury lifestyles, Sandbanks in Dorset has been identified as Britain's most expensive seaside location. Home buyers wanting to move to Sandbanks will not get much change from £1 million typically, with the average house price sitting at £965,708 last year, according to Lloyds. The bank said while the average house price in Sandbanks has fallen by 3%, or £33,595, compared with 2023, it still sits at the top of its coastal property league, which is dominated by locations in the South West of England. Sandbanks is known as a popular location for celebrities, with it array of upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife. Salcombe in Devon, with its galleries and boutiques, is second on the Lloyds list, with an average house price of £826,159 in 2024. Foodie hotspot Padstow in Cornwall is third, with buyers paying £715,974 on average to live there and enjoy the charm of its harbour and seafood scene on a daily basis. Aldeburgh, Suffolk, known for its arts scene and architecture, is fourth with an average house price of £619,693. Across Britain, the average price of a home by the sea was £295,991 last year – down 1% compared with 2023 – Lloyds said. The Lloyds Coastal Homes Review tracked house price movements in 197 coastal locations. Despite the small dip, prices in coastal towns increased nearly a fifth (18%) over the five years from 2019, the bank said. Purchasers could buy around nine homes in the most affordable seaside location on the Lloyds list, based on average house prices, for the cost of one property in Sandbanks. For buyers looking for a home by the sea at a more affordable price, Campbeltown on the scenic Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute has an average house price of £103,078. Home movers to the region can raise a toast to their new property with a dram of locally-produced whisky. Other coastal areas at the less expensive end of the house price spectrum include the Rothesay on the Isle of Bute (with an average house price of £111,764), Millport on Great Cumbrae (£114,008), and Port Bannatyne also on Bute (£115,421). Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: 'Coastal living continues to hold a special appeal – whether it's the lure of sea views, sandy beaches, or a slower pace of life. 'Our latest research shows the most exclusive seaside spots – like Sandbanks – still command premium prices. 'In some of the UK's most desirable coastal towns, average prices have dipped slightly over the past year. But, over the longer term, values remain significantly higher – especially in the South West, where demand from lifestyle movers continues to shape the market. 'At the other end of the scale, there are still pockets of real affordability – particularly in Scotland, where buyers can find coastal homes for a fraction of the price. For those willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots, there are some hidden gems offering great value and a strong sense of community. 'It's also important to recognise that not all coastal areas share the same fortunes. Some seaside towns face significant challenges, from seasonal economies to a lack of affordable housing for local people.' Lloyds used data from the Land Registry and the Registers of Scotland for its research. Here are Britain's most expensive seaside locations, with the average house price in 2024, according to Lloyds: 1. Sandbanks, South West, £965,708 2. Salcombe, South West, £826,159 3. Padstow, South West, £715,974 4. Aldeburgh, East of England, £619,693 5. Lymington, South East, £608,253 6. St Mawes, South West, £552,198 7. Lyme Regis, South West, £531,815 8. Budleigh Salterton, South West, £496,998 9. Dartmouth, South West, £495,643 10. Kingsbridge, South West, £484,986 Here are Britain's least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with the average house price in 2024: 1. Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £103,078 2. Rothesay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £111,764 3. Millport, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £114,008 4. Port Bannatyne, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £115,421 5. Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland, £116,211 6. Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, £117,751 7. Ardrossan, North Ayrshire Scotland, £124,532 8. Wick, Highlands, Scotland, £126,708 9. Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, £128,888 10. Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £129,194 Here are England and Wales's least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024: 1. Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, North East, £132,863 2. Fleetwood, North West, £146,338 3. Blackpool, North West, £146,764 4. Withernsea, Yorkshire and the Humber, £148,402 5. Maryport, North West, £153,243 6. Seaham, North East, £157,100 7. Blyth, North East, £158,265 8. Hartlepool, North East, £158,271 9. Cleethorpes, Yorkshire and the Humber, £166,909 10. Whitehaven, North West, £170,673 Here are the most, followed by the least, expensive coastal locations in each region or nation, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024: East Midlands Chapel St Leonards, £214,802 Skegness, £202,559 East of England Aldeburgh, £619,693 Lowestoft, £238,372 North East Whitley Bay, £310,918 Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, £132,863 North West Grange-over-Sands, £308,419 Fleetwood, £146,338 Scotland St Andrews, Fife, £458,381 Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, £103,078 South East Lymington, £608,253 East Cowes, £239,605 South West Sandbanks, £965,708 Plymouth, £248,668 Wales The Mumbles, £417,043 Prestatyn, £192,331 Yorkshire and the Humber Whitby/Robin Hood's Bay, £299,161 Withernsea, £148,402
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Britain's most expensive seaside towns and cheaper ‘hidden gems' revealed
With its golden beaches and associations with luxury lifestyles, Sandbanks in Dorset has been identified as Britain's most expensive seaside location. Home buyers wanting to move to Sandbanks will not get much change from £1 million typically, with the average house price sitting at £965,708 last year, according to Lloyds. The bank said while the average house price in Sandbanks has fallen by 3%, or £33,595, compared with 2023, it still sits at the top of its coastal property league, which is dominated by locations in the South West of England. Sandbanks is known as a popular location for celebrities, with it array of upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife. Salcombe in Devon, with its galleries and boutiques, is second on the Lloyds list, with an average house price of £826,159 in 2024. Foodie hotspot Padstow in Cornwall is third, with buyers paying £715,974 on average to live there and enjoy the charm of its harbour and seafood scene on a daily basis. Aldeburgh, Suffolk, known for its arts scene and architecture, is fourth with an average house price of £619,693. Across Britain, the average price of a home by the sea was £295,991 last year – down 1% compared with 2023 – Lloyds said. The Lloyds Coastal Homes Review tracked house price movements in 197 coastal locations. Despite the small dip, prices in coastal towns increased nearly a fifth (18%) over the five years from 2019, the bank said. Purchasers could buy around nine homes in the most affordable seaside location on the Lloyds list, based on average house prices, for the cost of one property in Sandbanks. For buyers looking for a home by the sea at a more affordable price, Campbeltown on the scenic Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll and Bute has an average house price of £103,078. Home movers to the region can raise a toast to their new property with a dram of locally-produced whisky. Other coastal areas at the less expensive end of the house price spectrum include the Rothesay on the Isle of Bute (with an average house price of £111,764), Millport on Great Cumbrae (£114,008), and Port Bannatyne also on Bute (£115,421). Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: 'Coastal living continues to hold a special appeal – whether it's the lure of sea views, sandy beaches, or a slower pace of life. 'Our latest research shows the most exclusive seaside spots – like Sandbanks – still command premium prices. 'In some of the UK's most desirable coastal towns, average prices have dipped slightly over the past year. But, over the longer term, values remain significantly higher – especially in the South West, where demand from lifestyle movers continues to shape the market. 'At the other end of the scale, there are still pockets of real affordability – particularly in Scotland, where buyers can find coastal homes for a fraction of the price. For those willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots, there are some hidden gems offering great value and a strong sense of community. 'It's also important to recognise that not all coastal areas share the same fortunes. Some seaside towns face significant challenges, from seasonal economies to a lack of affordable housing for local people.' Lloyds used data from the Land Registry and the Registers of Scotland for its research. Here are Britain's most expensive seaside locations, with the average house price in 2024, according to Lloyds: 1. Sandbanks, South West, £965,708 2. Salcombe, South West, £826,159 3. Padstow, South West, £715,974 4. Aldeburgh, East of England, £619,693 5. Lymington, South East, £608,253 6. St Mawes, South West, £552,198 7. Lyme Regis, South West, £531,815 8. Budleigh Salterton, South West, £496,998 9. Dartmouth, South West, £495,643 10. Kingsbridge, South West, £484,986 Here are Britain's least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with the average house price in 2024: 1. Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £103,078 2. Rothesay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £111,764 3. Millport, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £114,008 4. Port Bannatyne, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £115,421 5. Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland, £116,211 6. Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, £117,751 7. Ardrossan, North Ayrshire Scotland, £124,532 8. Wick, Highlands, Scotland, £126,708 9. Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, £128,888 10. Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £129,194 Here are England and Wales's least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024: 1. Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, North East, £132,863 2. Fleetwood, North West, £146,338 3. Blackpool, North West, £146,764 4. Withernsea, Yorkshire and the Humber, £148,402 5. Maryport, North West, £153,243 6. Seaham, North East, £157,100 7. Blyth, North East, £158,265 8. Hartlepool, North East, £158,271 9. Cleethorpes, Yorkshire and the Humber, £166,909 10. Whitehaven, North West, £170,673 Here are the most, followed by the least, expensive coastal locations in each region or nation, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024: East Midlands Chapel St Leonards, £214,802 Skegness, £202,559 East of England Aldeburgh, £619,693 Lowestoft, £238,372 North East Whitley Bay, £310,918 Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, £132,863 North West Grange-over-Sands, £308,419 Fleetwood, £146,338 Scotland St Andrews, Fife, £458,381 Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, £103,078 South East Lymington, £608,253 East Cowes, £239,605 South West Sandbanks, £965,708 Plymouth, £248,668 Wales The Mumbles, £417,043 Prestatyn, £192,331 Yorkshire and the Humber Whitby/Robin Hood's Bay, £299,161 Withernsea, £148,402
