Miranda Richardson
interview: travelling life
Miranda Richardson, the actress, on relishing wildlife in
South America, glamour in Venice and a muddy bar in
Somerset.
Interview by Lisa Grainger
Daily Telegraph - 10 Mar 2010
Miranda Richardson is one of Britain's busiest actresses.
After a childhood spent in Southport, Lancashire, she
began acting in the early 1980s. She has frequently
appeared on stage, on television (memorably in
Blackadder) and in more than 50 films – from Dance
with a Stranger, The Crying Game and Damage to The Young
Victoria. Twice nominated for an Oscar, she is the winner
of two Golden Globe awards and a Bafta. She lives in
London.
How often do you travel?
For years, I never knowingly went on a holiday.
When I travelled, it was for work. Now I am a huge
advocate, particularly to places which have amazing
wildlife, such as Antarctica, India and Patagonia.
Your most recent trip?
To the Galapagos and a bit of Ecuador – both of
which were wonderful. We were particularly privileged as
we went on a boat called the Eclipse, which could
accommodate 48 but there were only 24 of us, in lovely
cabins. The wildlife was incredible: marine iguanas,
frigate birds, sea lions and phenomenal mocking birds.
Nothing there is fearful, so it is like being in Eden. It
makes you feel like a child again, it's so overwhelmingly
terrific.
What sort of holiday makes you
happiest?
I'm not someone who can lie on a beach and do nothing. I
am not sure what you are supposed to do, so I get bored.
I prefer to have a purpose, such as going to Alaska to
see orca whales.
Your most challenging holiday?
A charity dog-sled trip in Arctic Norway. It felt very,
very elemental and also romantic, in a perverse way. With
the dogs howling, it was like a mad point-to-point, but
conducted over the most beautiful, pure white snow. Our
reward was seeing this twisting green streak lighting up
the sky: the Northern Lights. Truly astonishing.
Do you travel light?
Not as light as I would like. I take quite a smart,
sporty-looking zip-up holdall called a High Sierra, which
has wheels and a pull-along handle. It is practical and
boring, but you can cram a lot in.
What do you always carry in
your handbag?
I used to pride myself on having no handbag at all. I
used pockets. Now, on an urban trip, I might take a
practical bag I can strap over my shoulder for taking
along a book, in case I fancy reading.
Do you listen to music when you
travel?
I carry music in my head, so I don't need more. It drives
me nuts that, in hotels or on boats, people seem to think
you need music 24 hours a day.
Your favourite place for a
weekend break?
Last year I went with a friend to Antwerp and loved it. I
like the personality of the Belgians. They're deeply
eccentric, which is something that comes across in their
design – terrific.
Hotels you've particularly
loved?
The Wild Mahseer Lodge in Assam: lovely little colonial
bungalows, which are incredibly comfortable, and where
the people are thoughtful and lovely. I love the
Kandalama in Sri Lanka, an eco hotel designed by the
brilliant architect Geoffrey Bawa, surrounded by greenery
and monkeys.
Favourite restaurants?
Remi, a Venetian restaurant in New York. One night I went
in and said, "I don't want much, but I want
something delicious", and they gave me soft polenta
with an egg and white truffle. Heaven.
Favourite cities?
New York, because it is so vibrant. People have
experiences there; it opens itself out to you. Bilbao is
like that, too. I went for the Guggenheim and loved the
energy of the building, the way the place is integrated
into the town, the culture, the cuisines. It was such a
full experience. I hate Vienna: all those little green
coats and twitchy curtains.
The grandest hotels you've
stayed in?
I did the Aman thing when I went to Indonesia, which was
delightful and very suited to the place: very serene. And
I love the Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice, which has huge
balconies and beautiful gilted rooms in which to waft.
Luxuries you look forward to
abroad?
Caviar, though I don't eat it much now because I don't
know enough about where it comes from. Truffles, white or
black. Beautiful linens and gorgeous stationery.
Moleskine notebooks, to take notes that make the trip
come whooshing back. And staying at the St Regis in New
York: while it seems madness to have a 24-hour butler, it
is amazing. I love its King Cole bar, too.
Favourite places in the UK?
The Peat Inn, in Fife, which is small, close to lovely
beaches and has very good food. I didn't drink whisky
before, but they converted me; I took one sip and ended
up ordering six bottles. There's also a pub called the
Queens Arms at Corton Denham in Somerset, where they sell
their own pies, some very sexy olives and good wines.
They welcome people with dogs and muddy boots, which I
love.
The most remote place you've
been?
Napo Wildlife Eco Centre in Ecuador. Rooms are little
cottages run by the community – all solar-powered
– and you get there by dugout canoe.
Best safari destination?
Londolozi in South Africa. It's glamorous, and you see
what they say you'll see. One evening, we saw leopards
mating from about 15ft away, and my camera made a noise
that made one of them look right at me. Another time, an
elephant came right up by our jeep, with red eyes and
flapping ears. I kept looking at my guide and he would
say, "She's OK, relax." He was right; she was
putting on a show.
Your roughest trip?
I went to Greece years ago and lived in a cave for a few
days. It was fun, but I wouldn't do it again.
Travelling moments you won't
forget?
Getting close enough to elephants to look into their
eyes. To look right into the eye of any animal is
extraordinary – elephant, tortoise, sea lion,
whatever.
Your favourite shop?
John Derian, in New York, because it's so eclectic, weird
and wonderful, and sells funny old things like découpage
plates. In a world where things are so generic, finding
odd treasures is thrilling.
Favourite airline and tour
operator?
BA Business Class is very comfortable, and they don't
overmanage you. Of the operators, I like Sanctuary
Retreats
Travel essential?
Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream. On a plane, you can
just whack it on and, at the end of your trip, your skin
will still feel human.
* Miranda Richardson plays Rita
Skeeter in the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows
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