If you can’t catch Clare Balding’s appearance at the Rose Theatre next month, chances are if you hang around Richmond Park’s Isabella Plantation enough you’ll eventually find her.

The BBC presenter, who lives in Chiswick, recently listed the Royal Park as one of her favourite rambles.

“I think it's just having that amazing space in London,” Balding told the Surrey Comet.

“I did the Moonwalk a couple of years ago and trained in Richmond Park by walking around it a couple of times.

“I think the Isabella Plantation is gorgeous and there's a point where you look down and get a view of Richmond and just think ‘this is how it's been for hundreds of years’.”

Balding will be in conversation with Viv Groskop for the latest instalment of the Rose’s Time To Talk series on October 17.

She will discuss her life-long love of walking, as described in her latest book Walking Home: My Family and Other Rambles.

While Balding is many things – consummate presenter; former amateur jockey; passionate advocate of sports, particularly for women – it was only after reading Dawn French’s autobiography that she thought she could become an author.

“Dawn French did an interesting thing, and told her story through letters,” says Balding.

“I love that. For me to write I need to have a structure like that, it’s how my head works. I need to have a theme.”

Balding used her favourite animals as the device to tell the story of her childhood in her first book My Animals and Other Family.

Similarly, her latest book gives readers an insight into her life, loves and relationships through her favourite walks.

“It's a book about walking, family and relationships,” says Balding. “But I think I’m less trying to sell a book, but sell an idea.

“Walking is great for your physical and mental health, it’s easy to do, but I don’t think people do it enough.

“I discussed it with a soldier at the Invictus Games (for wounded service men) who had had both his legs blown off by an IED.

“He said he misses his legs and gets cross with people who don’t use theirs, and I think he is absolutely right.”

Balding says she is looking forward to coming to Kingston for what will be her first visit to the Rose Theatre.

“I know Kingston, I have a relative who lives close to there,” she says. “But that won’t stop me getting lost.”

Clare Balding: Time to Talk, Rose Theatre, High Street, Kingston, Friday, October 17, 5.30pm, £19 (includes hardback copy of Walking Home).