And the smartest hotel you’ve stayed in?
‘The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc when I went to the Cannes Film Festival once – that was really romantic. Then years ago, we stayed at Dromoland Castle in Ireland. Richard Harris had a property on the same land, and I’d just done a movie, The Weekend, with his son so we had Christmas dinner with them. We had the most unbelievably glorious time, riding horses, singing songs, listening to stories, drinking whiskey in the pub. He had more energy than everyone and drank better than anybody I’ve ever met.’
Which is your road most travelled?
‘It’s out east, from New York to the beach in the Hamptons, which we do throughout the year, and my kids work out there all summer, babysitting and being counsellors at camp. We were there for about seven months during lockdown and it is our happy place, where we get away from the bustle of the city. It’s an absolute luxury that I never thought I would be able to have.’
Describe your favourite view
‘I have two. The sun setting by the beach on Long Island – seeing that is such a renewing feeling, and it makes me quiet and calm. Then, just as you are about to enter Manhattan before you go into the tunnel, when you see the outline of the city – when the light’s just right, it’s magical. Wherever I’ve been, on seeing that view, I think, I’m home.’
Where did you go on your first holiday without your parents?
‘That’s a very loaded question, because what I’ve realised is I cannot remember ever not having somebody with me, whether it was a girlfriend, my mother, my sisters, a boyfriend, then a husband, then kids. I have never been anonymous, I get recognised everywhere, and I guess that probably lends itself to always needing to have a partner in some way.’
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met on your travels?
‘It’s not necessarily someone who has a lot to say; you can share a sense of humour with somebody and not even speak the same language. A smile is universal. I think that’s why I love travelling so much, and the more remote I get, the easier it is.’
What’s your eighth wonder of the world?
‘My children. They’re 15 and 18. My 18-year-old is going to college in five days, I’m going to be a mess. She’ll be fine, I won’t.’
‘A Castle for Christmas’ is out on Netflix from Friday 26 November 2021. For more on Brooke’s digital community, Beginning is Now, visit beginningisnow.com. She spoke to Francesca Babb.
