Perfect days

How would you spend your perfect day in England? Would you stretch your legs and join Michael Palin in his beloved Peak District or would you put your feet up with Darcy Bussell in Wiltshire? Some famous names share their favourite places in England.

Read Whitbread prize winnning author David Almond's remarkable and exclusive perfect day...

Gordon Ramsay (Celebrity chef)

'London's diversity is staggering. Where else in the world can you choose from a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, an amazing Japanese or a haute moderne British restaurant all within walking distance of each other? Absolutely nowhere.'

Justin Chadwick (Director, The Other Boleyn Girl)

'There are so many beautiful sights that I'd like to see. I'd like to explore Bath more with my wife and my children, because I thought there was beautiful countryside there, and it's a beautiful place, so if there's anywhere, it would be Bath with my family.'

Hugh Dancy (Actor, Elizabeth I)

[On the South Bank] 'It's something I would recommend to anyone visiting London. First of all it's great to be able to just walk along the river, but there are so many different things to take in: the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre with the Hayward Gallery. I also like strolling down from Tate Modern, across the Millennium Bridge, to St Paul's - it's the best site to visit.

Darcey Bussell (Principal Ballerina with the Royal Ballet)

'Because I'm a dancer, my idea of a good holiday isn't being active and doing lots of walking across the countryside - it's more about lying with my feet up and having a lovely steam treatment in a luxurious spa. My favourite is Whatley Manor in Wiltshire - they have an amazing set-up there, and you can appreciate all the time and thought that has gone into it.'

Michael Palin (Comedian, actor, writer and television presenter)

'When I was a lad in Sheffield, the Peak District was some kind of exotic, faraway land which I could get to without spending a lot of money. I explored the Peak District on my bicycle, so it was somewhere I kind of discovered myself. It was a wonderful place to be let loose in. Up there on the tops there was really lovely scenery with fantastic views. The Peak District provided me early on with the inspiration to travel and go to places that were different from where I lived.'

Jason Isaacs (Actor, Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films)

'Liverpool has a fantastic energy, the whole city just fizzes. Go there because there are no people like Liverpudlians. Yes, it's got the Walker Art Gallery and yes, it's been regenerated downtown but you can find that elsewhere; you won't find free stand-up comedy in the streets like you find pretty much everywhere in Liverpool. You also get to go and watch the greatest football team there's ever been in the history of the world.'

Angela Hartnett (Celebrity chef)

'London has some great parks and open spaces. Hyde Park and Green Park are nice ones to walk in. And there are places and things to do that tourists might not think of, like boating in Victoria Park in Hackney, which is worth doing.'