Where’s your perfect place to wake up?
On a cliff above the ocean, pretty much anywhere in the British Isles – perhaps along the dramatic north coast of Cornwall or Devon.

Do you have a favourite walk?
The South West Coast Path is pretty phenomenal. As is the walking in St Kilda.

Who would be your ideal companion?
My black labrador, Inca, my wife, Marina, and my son, Ludo. Or a good group of friends mixed with a few strangers – walking is a fantastic opportunity to get to know people.

You’re president of the Campaign for National Parks – why are national parks so important to you?
I grew up in and around the New Forest, South Downs and Lake District, and I’m really excited about the South Downs becoming a national park. Having travelled the world, I know that we really do have parks we should be, and are, very proud of.

Are you worried about the spending cuts to national parks’ budgets?
Yes. Their budgets weren’t large in the first place, so the cuts will have a dramatic effect.

You support the Mosaic project to encourage more black and minority ethnic visitors to national parks. Does more need to be done?
Mosaic has been a success in opening up the countryside to a broader cross-section of society, but there’s still a lot of work to do. What a lot of people forget is that, for many ethnic minorities, the countryside can be a scary place. Mosaic helps to make the parks accessible to everyone, no matter what your ethnicity, religion or race.

Did you always want to be a presenter, like your TV vet dad Bruce Fogle?
No, not really. My mother’s an actress as well, so I grew up with both my parents appearing on television. I applied to be on BBC’s Castaway 2000 for the experience, not to be on telly or become a media figure. If anything, I wanted to be an actor rather than a presenter. I applied to all the drama schools but they rejected me. I’ve had bit parts, in things like Hotel Babylon, but I don’t think an Oscar is around the corner.

On Countryfile, you participated in some of Britain’s more bizarre countryside events. Any favourites?
The World Nettle Eating Championships in Dorset stands out. As does the World Coal Carrying Championships in West Yorkshire, and Staffordshire’s Tough Guy competition. Sadly, I didn’t break any records but it made me feel proud of Britain’s quirky traditions.

You’ve travelled the globe. What’s been your favourite place abroad?
If I was pushed, I’d say Papua New Guinea. It’s the most extraordinary place, like stepping back in time. There’s very little tourism, so it’s still unexploited. There are amazing trails, too, such as the Black Cat and Kokoda Tracks.

In your book Offshore you go in search of a British island you can buy. Which ones came closest to winning your heart?
I actually put in an offer for one of the Summer Isles, off Ullapool, in Scotland. But I was outbid by only about £10, which was a bit annoying. I like the Isles of Scilly – they’re pretty special. And the Outer Hebrides will always have a place in my heart because of my time on Taransay [in Castaway 2000].

Doesn’t Bear Grylls own an island off the coast of north Wales? Are you two in competition?
I’m envious of Bear in many respects. But he does things like sucking eyeballs, doesn’t he? I don’t do that. I probably need to work harder and make it big in America like Bear before I can afford another stab at my own island.

Any more adventures planned for you and James Cracknell?
We were training for the Tour Divide event [the world’s longest off-road bike race] but that’s been postponed indefinitely after James’ crash [a truck hit him while cycle training in the US last year]. It’s going to take a long time for him to make a full recovery; many years, really. I’d love to see the event through. If James wants to do it next year or the year afterwards, that would be great.

Win footwear from CÀRN’s ‘Inspired by Ben Fogle’ range at www.carn-uk.com/competitions

The Ramblers - as part of the South Downs Campaign group - is celebrating the news that the Government has confirmed the go ahead for a South Downs National Park in Sussex and Hampshire.

Stretching westwards for more than 144km/90 miles from the spectacular white cliffs of Beachy Head across Sussex and Hampshire to Winchester, the South Downs contains some of the best-known and most admired hill country in the United Kingdom.

The Park will be established broadly along the lines proposed by the then Countryside Agency almost seven years ago and will bring greater protection and funding to the area. It also includes the ‘hotly contested’ Western Weald – an area of sandstone woodland and farmland the size of the Isle of Wight - and the settlements of Ditchling and Lewes.

The news comes just days after the campaign, supported by Ramblers president Floella Benjamin, Ben Fogle (Campaign for National Parks) and Bill Bryson (CPRE), delivered over 20,000 postcards to Defra highlighting the public support for this new National Park.

Ramblers South Downs Campaigner, David Murray, said of the announcement: “The government should be congratulated for providing such a great gift to the nation. National Parks are a huge walking asset, offering a myriad of walking opportunities. The South Downs in on the doorstep of millions of people and this decision will safeguard it for future generations”.

Look out for a special extended feature on the South Downs in the next edition of Walk magazine (out 3 July).