Viv Groskop is an award-winning comedian, journalist, writer and presenter, host of the super successful podcast and author of the best-selling book How To Own the Room. Originally from Bruton, Somerset, and now based in London, she writes plays for BBC Radio 4 and appears regularly on radio and TV. Her latest book is Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident, dubbed by Dragons’ Den’s Sara Davies as “entertaining and transformative.” Viv stays regularly in the West Country and has just signed up as Writer-in-Residence with the Stay Original Company who have boutique hotels in Wedmore, Somerton, Shaftesbury, Dorchester, Bruton and Bradford-on-Avon. Viv is currently working on a book about Ukraine in the 1990s.

At the Chapel, Bruton

My parents moved to Bruton when I was four years old. So I’ve seen the high street transform completely over the past five decades. At the Chapel is now a beautifully designed hotel and restaurant but years ago it was a bit of a wreck. My husband and I wanted to get married in the building in the year 2000 but it was long before the place was renovated. There was no running water and it was just a shell. Although even then, the interior was completely stunning, with an amazing view to the Dovecot, a Bruton landmark. Now it’s the ideal spot for superb cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and freshly baked sourdough. The transformation is hard to believe if you were here in the 1970s or 1980s.

Vobster Quay Inland Diving and Swimming Centre, Upper Vobster, near Radstock

I love swimming at Vobster which is between Bruton and Frome and a stone’s throw from Babington House. It’s a bit of a “best-kept secret” because you can’t just rock up if you’re not a member. An annual membership costs from £35. Definitely worth it if you’re going to be in the area a few times a year. This place is a real oasis of calm and tranquility and you always meet friendly and kind people there. Warning: this is a (life-guarded) quarry and the water is very cold. I keep trying to persuade my dad that it’s really not that cold. But he knows I’m lying. I will get him in there eventually.

Cleveland Pools, Bath

Another lovely place for outdoor swimming — and just about the same (freezing) temperature — is the newly restored lido at Cleveland Pools in Bath. You need nerves of steel to survive their Kafka-esque booking app. But once you’ve navigated that, it’s delightful. Minimal chlorine and maximum crowd control, it’s never too busy or too chaotic. And you can sit and have a quiet cup of tea afterwards.

Cheap Street, Frome

When I was growing up in Bruton, my grandparents also lived in the area and Cheap Street in Frome was one of my grandma’s favourite days out. I’ve yet to find a street anywhere in the world with a miniature stream running down it. We would always pop into The Settle for a toasted tea cake. Nowadays I can’t pass through Frome without visiting Hunting Raven Books, one of the cutest independent book shops in the country.

Tellisford Weir, near Bradford-on-Avon

There is fantastic wild swimming at Farleigh Hungerford (near Bradford-on-Avon) and at Warleigh Weir (near Bath) but one of the places I love the most is Tellisford Weir (also near Bradford-on-Avon). Totally unspoilt. One for more experienced swimmers.

Glove Factory Studios, Holt, near Bradford-on-Avon

This is a co-working space, events hub and restaurant with a wild swimming lake. I haven’t been swimming here yet as it’s members only but it’s just a relaxing and inspiring place to hang out. The food is excellent and they have regular foodie nights at Wild Herb at The Field Kitchen. Well worth a detour if you’re in the area.

Pinsents Deli, Castle Cary

This is the perfect delicatessen. Specialising in coffee and cheese plus all manner of unexpected and covetable tins and jars of delicious things, Pinsents is exactly what a local independent shop should be: family-run, friendly and cosy. On a sunny day, I like to pick up a coffee and a croissant here, sit on the step outside and watch the world go by. There’s usually a vintage market opposite on the first Saturday of the month.

Common Farm Flowers, Charlton Musgrove, near Wincanton

You need to book a tour if you want to visit this magical place. Somerset florist and flower farmer Georgie Newbery opens up her stunning gardens for workshops and mentoring. What she doesn’t know about dahlias and sweet peas is not worth knowing. She also does local deliveries and flowers for local events, including DIY flower buckets for weddings.

Swan Vintage, Bruton

This is a gorgeous vintage clothes shop with stunning pieces from every decade going back a hundred years. Again: this is completely unexpected for “childhood me”, to imagine that there would be a shop like this in Bruton — and in the old post office where I used to queue up to get stamps and air mail stickers so that I could write to my pen friends. I’ve picked up vintage kimonos, mohair sweaters, a 1950s princess coat and a swishy Strictly-type skirt in here. A real treasure trove.

Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident with Viv Groskop, At the Chapel in Bruton, Thurs 2 Nov, 7pm. Book here.

My favourite places: author and comedian Viv Groskop

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