Benedict Cumberbatch wants children before he turns 40.

The 'Star Trek 2' actor is currently single following the end of his 12-year relationship with Olivia Poulet last year but admits he wants to settle down and start a family, though his newfound fame makes it hard to meet people.

The 36-year-old star said: ''I have a sort of clock ticking. I'd really like to be a dad before I'm 40, but at the same time, I'm in this weird territory where people know me before I know them.''

However, the British star sees some benefits to his single status, admitting he recently went on the best holiday of his life, a road trip along the US West Coast.

He said: ''It was the most amazing five days of my life. Though we kept spotting divorced bachelors in their Mustangs cruising behind us and thought, 'Oh no, we're a cliche'.''

The 'Sherlock' star - whose parents are actors Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham - is pleased to be close to his family so they can share in his success.

He told InStyle magazine: ''My parents are over the moon [about success]. I flew them out here recently and they came to see me on the 'Star Trek 2' set.

''All the stuff that's happening to me is useless unless you can share it with someone you know. And who better to have by your side than family?''