My London: Angela Scanlon

The Your Home Made Perfect host laps up the dribbly cheese at Gloria, would flower-up the Barbican and wants to give London a gong bath
The Fashion Awards 2019 - Red Carpet Arrivals
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Emily Phillips2 July 2021

Home is…

Between Muswell Hill and Highgate, with my husband, Roy, and daughter, Ruby, three.

Where do you stay in London?

If we pushed the boat out, and I’m considering it for my husband’s birthday, Claridge’s is the dream. Some of my best friends are the designers: Bryan O’Sullivan Studio. I feel like I’m going back in time — it has such a personality.

The Mayfair Suite
Claridge's

Where would you recommend for a first date?

Gloria. It’s buzzy — if there were an awkward silence, I feel like a waiter would heckle you gently from afar. And you get to eat pasta carbonara from a cheese wheel. That’s how you weed them out: if they can’t deal with you dribbling cheese then there shouldn’t be a second date.

Which shops do you rely on?

Simone Rocha on Mount Street, as much for the atmosphere as for the clothes. It’s full of pink marble countertops; the art is like you’re in a gallery. I also adore Alex Eagle, Koibird, Wolf & Badger and Goodhood.

Who is your hero?

Oprah, although that feels a bit controversial at the moment with her allegiance to the absconded royals. She’s a force of nature.

Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour Kick Off In Sunrise, FL
Oprah Winfrey
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Where would you most like to be buried in London?

No offence, but I’d probably head to Ireland because they do a better funeral. Otherwise, Highgate beside George Michael.

What makes someone a Londoner?

I wouldn’t have identified myself as a Londoner until my husband pointed out that I’m as obsessed by a queue as the rest of ya.

If you could buy any building in London and live there, which would it be?

Well, I have gone low key: the Barbican. I think it’s an insanely divine place to hang out in. I would probably just amplify the foliage. I’d build a meadow inside, put a lido in.

View of water gardens, lakeside terrace, Gilbert House and Cromwell Tower at the brutalist Barbican Estate, London, UK
The Barbican
Alamy Stock Photo

What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

Post-Brexit I was feeling very raw and vulnerable. And the cabbie heard my voice and said: ‘They’ll be coming for you soon enough!’ I just remember thinking, that is too soon!

What do you collect?

I love a crystal. We’ve got little rose quartzes and giant amethysts, we’ve got citrines, giant plates of rose quartz…

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I would do a city-wide gong bath. I actually think that I read about it first in ES Magazine. It was referred to as ‘meditation for lazy people’ — and I thought, I’m in. Just thinking of everyone wombling on to the Tube smiling at each other after.

Best meal?

We went for my husband’s birthday when there was a little gap in lockdown to Core by Clare Smyth, which was divine.

Biggest extravagance?

Shoes are a big problem for me. I bought a Loewe pink grosgrain winkle-picker. I like an ugly shoe historically. I’m never wearing a heel again. Lockdown has broken me. I just think, what were we doing, it was the patriarchy trying to slow us down.

Most important thing you’ve learnt during the lockdowns?

Simplicity. Before there were a lot of distractions, a diary full of stuff, and now I’m very happy having a bit of dinner in the garden with my friends.

‘Your Home Made Perfect’ is available on BBC iPlayer. Angela Scanlon’s ‘Thanks A Million’ is available on all podcast providers

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