War Horse author Michael Morpurgo recalls his travel adventures

So which destination is the War Horse author’s most memorable?

Here he talks about why he has a lifelong lifelong love of islands, remembers his first holiday to Brittany – and more…

FIRST HOLIDAY MEMORY?

A little village in Brittany aged eight in 1952. I had my first eclair and saw people walking around with baguettes — it was a whole different world.

ARE YOU WELL-TRAVELLED?

My books have taken me all over, from Russia to India and Australia, but I know France best.

MOST MEMORABLE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN?

A toss-up between the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and Zennor, Cornwall — just for their sheer beauty.

DID ANY CHILDHOOD BOOK INSPIRE A LOVE OF SOMEWHERE SPECIAL?

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island inspired a lifelong love of islands generally.

FAVOURITE PART OF BRITAIN?

I adore Mid Devon, but I’m also a big fan of the Isles of Scilly, for the quiet, the bird life and the scenery. There are stories in every rock and wreck.

The Isles of Scilly (pictured) archipelago is one of Michael’s favourite parts of Britain 

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN HISTORY, WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT?

I’d love to have been one of the first settlers to cross the Atlantic and step ashore in Virginia.

• War horse is at Wembley Park Theatre until November 23 (warhorseonstage.com). Michael’s new novel, Boy Giant: Son Of Gulliver, is out now.