Charmian Clare Peake (Peñate) was born on the island of Sark, but has lived in London all her life. She has worked as a bookseller, flower seller, waitress, childminder, nursery school teacher and maid. She has three children, including singer-songwriter Jack Peñate, and one grand-child. She reads, goes to the cinema, listens to music and hand-makes patchwork quilts.