Actor Annabel Scholey may live in Somerset now, but London feels like a her second home, having spent 20 years in the capital.
From cocktail bars and foodie haunts to the five-star hotels she can’t resist, she shares the London spots she loves most with The Standard - including the Soho street where she lived in her twenties and the restaurant where she had her first date with her husband.
Home is…
I live in Somerset now, but I lived in London for 20 years and have done seven trips there in the past 10 days.
Scholey reveals the places, people and little luxuries that keep drawing her back to the city
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Where do you stay in London?
I’ve stayed at the Ned a few times with work and it makes me feel like I’m in an episode of Poirot. I really like the old-fashioned phones in the rooms and the little cocktail station with those lovely crystal water glasses.
There’s an amazing spa in the basement with a pool and hammam and then all the restaurants upstairs with live music, too.
Where was your first flat?
I’m from Yorkshire, but when I moved to London my first flat was with my boyfriend at the time. It was a really nice flat — his parents owned it so we were very lucky — on Fulham Palace Road with a roof terrace.
The actor’s first flat in London was on Fulham Palace Road which featured a roof terrace
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But East Dulwich and Honor Oak were the areas that I really enjoyed and got to know.
What was your first job?
I worked in Oliver Bonas in Putney with my now-sister-in-law, so I met my now-husband because of her.
She told him to come in to meet the hot chick. My first acting job was in Poirot, funnily enough, in an episode with some cracking actors in it — obviously David Suchet but also Monica Dolan, Lucy Punch, Michael Fassbender.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
I’ve been on quite a few dates in London, but I think Nightjar in Old Street. It’s got that vintage, 1930s vibe and it’s quite small with low lighting. The cocktails are absolutely amazing and it’s very romantic.
Which shops do you rely on?
I’m always in central London doing voiceovers and things and quite often I will go into Crumbs and Doilies in Kingly Court for cupcakes to take back for my husband and daughter.
Scholey will feature in the upcoming third series of Rivals
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When I lived in the Lordship Lane area and we were doing up our apartment, I used to go to Frost, which is a mid-century furniture design shop on Bellenden Road in Peckham.
They’ve got gorgeous pieces. The Cheese Block on Lordship Lane, too — I spent so much money there when I lived there.
It’s quite smelly but absolutely delightful. I really need a Sézane in my life and the Westbourne Grove store in Notting Hill is my favourite.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
On my first date with my husband we went to Berners Tavern at the Edition hotel and shared the Chateaubriand and mashed potatoes, then the chocolate and hazelnut praline tart.
And lots of wine. It’s got a really good buzz and atmosphere.
Where do you go to have fun?
I could give a middle-aged woman answer and say I go for a swim in the West Reservoir.
Or I could say that the place I’ve always gone to with my friends is Cafe Boheme on Old Compton Street.
I lived on the street for a year with another actress when I was in my twenties and we used to have people buzzing us at 3am.
What’s your London secret?
Cordelia’s Reflexology. She’s a magician.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
It has to be Elizabeth II. My other answer was Paddington Bear.
Scholey names Kate Winslet as her hero, describing her as “authentic, brilliant and so talented”
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What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I would make everyone slow down to a snail’s pace. I would get everyone into a park, make them take their shoes and all their layers off.
There would be some live music and everyone would get free ice cream and an Aperol Spritz.
What are you up to for work?
I’ve just wrapped on a Netflix show called The Lords’ Day and I’m promoting Winter, a new ITV detective show. And I’m prepping for series three of Rivals.
I’m good friends with Gary Lamont, who plays Charles Fairburn, and I’ve known Lisa McGrillis, who plays Valerie Jones, for a very long time. We’re all in touch in an enormous WhatsApp group with a very, very inappropriate name, which I cannot possibly give you.
Who’s your hero?
Kate Winslet. She’s authentic, brilliant and so talented. She came from absolutely nothing and just worked and worked and worked. And she’s brought up three children, too. I loved her film about Lee Miller, which she produced.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
It’s five-star hotels. I’ve got a real problem. It was actually mentioned in a speech at my wedding. I’m very high maintenance when it comes to the softness of my bed. My family call me the princess and the pea because every time I get to a room I ring straight down to see if they’ve got a topper. The Ned and the Edition are favourites. They’re expensive, but life’s too short for rubbish hotels.