‘We bumped into Robert De Niro at lunch!’: Cricketer Mark Butcher reveals his best holiday memories


‘We bumped into Robert De Niro at lunch!’ Retired cricketer and singer Mark Butcher reveals his best holiday memories

  • Mark Butcher recalls an incredible couple of weeks he spent on Peter Island 
  • The cricketer reveals his earliest holiday memory – Butlin’s in Bognor Regis 
  • He adds that the best hotel he has been to is the ITC Gardenia in Bangalore

Former cricketer Mark Butcher, who has been revealing his holiday and travel memories

So what is the most memorable place Mark Butcher has ever visited and what is his earliest holiday memory?  

Here, the former cricketer talks about the best hotel he has stayed at, his idea of holiday hell and an ‘incredible’ couple of weeks he spent in the British Virgin Islands. 

Most memorable place you’ve been?

Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands.

What made it so special?

My wife-to-be and I had an incredible couple of weeks there — it felt as though we had the island to ourselves. The trip was topped off with bumping into Robert De Niro at lunch!

How were the people?

Friendly, charming and laidback.

Favourite place in the UK?

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons hotel and restaurant in Oxfordshire.

What do you never travel without?

An iPod and decent headphones.

Earliest holiday memory?

Butlin’s Bognor Regis with my family.

Favourite hotel?

I have a soft spot for the ITC Gardenia in Bangalore. The Sunday buffet at The Oberoi in Mumbai is not to be missed, either.

Mark says the most memorable place he has ever been to is Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands, pictured

Mark says the most memorable place he has ever been to is Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands, pictured 

. . . And your least favourite?

In Chittagong, touring Bangladesh in 2003. Power cuts were the least of the concerns. The wildlife kept you on your toes, too.

Your idea of holiday hell?

I have been known to lose my sense of humour over breakfast buffet ditherers.

  • Mark’s second album, Now Playing, is out now (Man In The Moon, £10.99).