doorstep

Haiti’s transitional leader Laurent Saint-Cyr told the 80th UNGA Haiti faces a “modern-day Guernica,” with rampant killings, rapes, and mass hunger. He urged urgent, large-scale international action to defend democracy, protect children, and secure Haiti’s right to peace.

Chadden Hunter has spent the last 25 years travelling the world with the likes of Sir David Attenborough and has visited some of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet

A BBC film producer has revealed one of his favourite destinations is in the UK after travelling the globe alongside the legendary Sir David Attenborough.

Chadden Hunter has said that a country right on our doorstep ranks at the top of his favourite countries list.

Speaking to the Daily Express, the producer described Scotland as an underrated “gem” that consistently amazes him.

He elaborated: “On our doorstep in the UK, I think Scotland is under-appreciated. I mean, it blows my mind when you look at a population map of the British Isles, it always blows my mind how dense England is, and especially southern England, and how unbelievably empty Scotland is.

“And yet, up there, there’s stunning wildlife, you can go on boat tours, and see orcas and basking sharks. On some of the beaches, the water is as crystal clear as anything you get in the tropics.”

“And yet, up there, there’s stunning wildlife, you can go on boat tours, and see orcas and basking sharks. On some of the beaches, the water is as crystal clear as anything you get in the tropics.”

Explaining precisely what sets Scotland apart from the countless other locations he’s explored, he added: “It’s chilly to get in (the water), but it is beautiful, and then you’ve got in some areas, you’ve got nesting puffins, you’ve got otters, seal colonies.

“So I think it’s just one of those places that I think we often overlook to go further afield, but unless you’re going to get down to the plains of Southern Africa, of Eastern Africa, then Scotland’s a bit of gem on our doorstep.”

Originally undertaking his PhD on monkeys in Ethiopia, he encountered a BBC film crew during his time in the African nation.

Unknown to him at the time, the chance meeting would kickstart a lengthy relationship with the broadcasters.

In the more than 25 years since, he has collaborated with Sir David Attenborough as a producer on some of the channel’s most beloved nature programmes, including Planet Earth One and Two, Seven Worlds One Planet, and Frozen Planet.

Chadden isn’t the only avid traveller to reveal their top destination recently. A seasoned globetrotter who’s visited 90 countries claims the only one she’d revisit is a mere three hours from the UK.

That place is Iceland, and is somewhere that left such an impression on Jamie Davis Smith that she has made the trip back to the icy country time and again down years.

If you’re looking for a British beachside staycation for a large family gathering, The Pink House in Bude is perfect; sleeping 16, it has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, an amazing open space living area, and a balcony with spectacular views over the North Cornwall coast. We had four teens with us, with a bedroom available for each of them, but they decided to sleep in one room with four bunks as it was ‘so cool’.

The location of The Pink House is fantastic, and we only used our car once during our three-night stay; everything really is on your doorstep.

What to do around Bude

Crooklets Beach is a two-minute stroll away, and there are surfboards, buckets, spades and fishing nets at the house for you to use, along with an outside shower for washing off the sand when you get back. There’s a live DJ over the weekends in the summer months at Crooklets Beach Café, a great place after a day on the beach to chill and unwind.

You can walk for miles along the coastal path, and there’s also the famous Bude Sea Pool, a semi-natural tidal pool that’s free to enter; the kids and adults alike all loved this.

You can also explore Bude Canal Lower Wharf and Harbour via paddle board or pedalo. We booked paddle boards through Freewave Surf Academy, who have trailers dotted around Bude – simply book online, receive a code and pick up and drop off your board; it’s so easy.

We decided on the cinema one evening, and found the independent Rebel Cinema. It looked just like a film set, and there aren’t many places where you’ll find a field of cows next door to a cinema.

Bude itself is a quaint little town easily within walking distance, with lots of cafés, bakeries and independent shops. Bude Castle is another must, overlooking Summerleaze Beach.

We had keen golfers with us so we also had to pay a visit to Bude and North Cornwall Golf Course, visible from The Pink House.

Where to eat in Bude

For traditional pub food, we loved The Brendan Arms, overlooking the harbour, and Rosie’s Kitchen is a lovely family-run diner on the beach that uses local produce where possible, with outside and inside seating. We tried their famous breakfast baps plus the slightly healthier avocado, chilli oil and egg on toast – it was so good we decided to come back to try their dirty fries for dinner. The teens all said they would make the five-hour drive just for these fries and breakfast baps.

Electric Bakery was another great recommendation, and so good the locals queue; we arrived at 8.30am ahead of its 9am opening time and the queue was already out of the car park. Its baked goods were well worth the wait, however; the sausage rolls, and cinnamon and red velvet croissants were our favourites.

How much does it cost?

The Pink House costs from £1,615 per week up to £3,940 per week in peak season. Book via Aspects Holidays.