Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch loves hiking.

The 'Imitation Game' star, whose fiancée Sophie Hunter is expecting their first child, says he enjoys excising in the great outdoors to help him unwind after a long day of filming.

The British actor said: "I love hiking. It's great to get away in nature. It's grounding. I go up to the country a lot, but I also love the coasts. We're shooting 'Richard III,' and it's been the most amazing heritage tour in the English countryside, with all the castles and manor houses and nunneries. It's stunning."

The 38-year-old heartthrob admits he has to be particularly "disciplined" and stays away from alcohol and cigarettes when he's shooting 'Sherlock' because the script can take a lot out of him.

Asked how he learns his lines for the TV series, he told PEOPLE.com: "There are two things. I memorise them very painstakingly and slowly. And I try to exercise, and stay off the cigarettes, booze and caffeine when filming, so I've got this good, healthy oxygenated blood and can think fast.

"There's always a moment when I get behind and I'm having a messy day, and I'm just kind of going, 'Sorry .... ' But by and large, you have to be really disciplined."