Actress LESLEY SHARP delights in wild-water swimming off the hidden beaches of South West Cornwall. Interview by Alex Reece.
Although I live in London now, I’ve always felt strongly that I need to be able to get to a stretch of water.
I’ve actually swum in the Thames, near Lechlade, because I do like wild-water swimming. And being able to swim in the sea as part of a holiday, to me, is vital.
We’ve been going to Cornwall for about 15 years now and I just love it. The area that we go to is near Newlyn, and I’m not surprised that so many artists have painted there (and continue to paint there), because the quality of light is unlike anywhere else.
I love Sennen Cove (pictured) – it’s beautiful – and bodyboarding at Gwithian Sands. Then there are some hidden beaches in between Helston and Marazion. I tend to try to find places that are as far away from the madding crowds as possible to swim in.
Whenever we go, there’s always a good time to be had – whether it’s a conversation with a friend or a summer evening in a pub with a big crowd. Then there are also these wonderful pockets for contemplation.
The other terrific thing is that the mobile signal tends to be bad. We’re getting increasingly reluctant to turn off phones and laptops, and it feels like we always have to be accessible. Down there, you can have hours and hours of not thinking about that kind of technology.
My other fantasy life would be to be able to live by the sea and find an alternative means of employment. I just think that, if it all went wrong, somehow or other, if you lived by the sea, things wouldn’t be so bad.
Lesley Sharp stars in the very popular ITV drama Scott & Bailey. For more info visit itv.com.
"My other fantasy life would be to be able to live by the sea and find an alternative means of employment. I just think that, if it all went wrong, somehow or other, if you lived by the sea, things wouldn’t be so bad."
