Sophie Conran’s Top Picks: Home and Away Haven

Award-winning interior designer, cook and author, Sophie Conran shares her favourite home and away haunts.

The Place That Keeps Drawing Me Back

The Amalfi coast. I’ve visited Positano many times and I love staying at Le Sirenuse. My parents used to go there, too – its blissful. The island has so much going on – the delicious food, the beautiful culture, the glorious turquoise water and the fact that it’s imbued with history keep drawing me back. You imagine you’re swimming with the Sirens and it’s very earthy in many ways; it seems to burst with joy and abundance; the gardens spill out with foliage and flowers everywhere and there’s adventure around every corner. I’m also fascinated by the way the village is built into a rock, which is testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Everywhere you turn, there’s beauty and pockets of pared back sophistication.

Perfect Soundtrack When I’m On the Move

I love audio books. I’ve listened to the entire Poirot series and I’m a huge fan of Malcom Gladwell. I also enjoyed Agatha Christie’s autobiography, as she travelled all over bucolic England. Her husband was an archaeologist, and she often accompanied him when he went abroad, spending large chunks of time in Iran, Iraq and Syria. Her descriptions of the people, the places, and her adventures are heart warming.

Luxury Villa or Swanky Boutique Hotel

It’s a mixture of both in a wonderful place called Trasierra, located in a tiny walled village in the hills above Seville with flower filled courtyards, yoga, mouth-watering food and a plethora of places to go and explore. I’ve been a few times with my family – it’s best to go with a big group. It’s so relaxing and incredibly charming. Plumbago, a favourite flower of mine, cascades everywhere and there’s a real feeling that you’re in the middle of nowhere as you walk through olive groves and woodland. It’s not super swanky – just tastefully perfect.

When I Travel, I’m Never Without

A thick pair of socks, a cardigan and a big pashmina. I find aeroplanes can get very cold. Suddenly you’re going somewhere hot, or you’ve been somewhere balmy, and you end up freezing, so I always remember to pop those must-haves in my bag.

The Best Souvenir I’ve Brought Home

That’s a difficult one, because I’m always buying things when I’m away. I’ve been on lots of road trips and I never fail to fill the car with local delicacies and items from antique markets. Ceramics are a real favourite, especially bowls from Marrakech. The souks there are amazing, you can find some real treasures. When you’re shopping abroad, you have a completely different perspective - you’re more care-free in your choices.

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