My London: Levison Wood

The explorer loves the gardens at Hampton Court Palace, tucks into fried grasshoppers in Fitzrovia and hides out in Barts bar 
Explorer: Levison Wood
Lily Worcester13 July 2017

Home is…

Hampton Court, down by the river next to Bushy Park, which is lovely: lots of green fields and deer ambling by. I’ve got deer just behind the house which is lovely to wake up to.

If you could buy any London building, which would it be?

My house overlooks Hampton Court Palace, so I’d probably just move over the road and go there. It has amazing gardens and it’s right on the river.

First thing you do when you come to London?

Get a pint at Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden. I like a nice cold San Miguel.

Ever had a run in with a policeman?

I have, but I was completely innocent. I was coming back from a military wedding — I used to be in the Army — and the tradition is that you wear your uniform, and part of the uniform is your sword. I remember trying to find a taxi, and a policeman decided that it would be best for everybody concerned if he escorted me home. Which was probably a good idea.

What do you collect?

Trinkets from wherever I’ve been travelling, including a box of rugs from Persia, Iran and the Middle East.

Most romantic thing someone has done for you?

My girlfriend took me to a restaurant called Archipelago in Fitzrovia that serves fried grasshoppers (above) and that sort of thing. I think she thought because I’d been out in the wild that I must enjoy eating things like scorpions. I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s romantic, but she tried.

Best piece of advice?

Probably from Mark Twain. There was a quote that I remember reading when I was travelling: ‘Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed about the things that you didn’t do than the things that you did do. So go out, explore, dream and discover.’

Who is your hero?

Sir Ranulph Fiennes. He’s an incredible man with some incredible achievements. He’s over 70 now and still at it.

Biggest extravagance?

A black convertible two-seater Aston Martin that I bought for Christmas.

Which shops do you rely on?

Leica in Mayfair — in terms of camera equipment it’s just the best. I also love browsing antique bookshops. I like Peter Harrington Rare Books and Stanfords, where I go for maps.

Favourite tune?

For bringing back memories of walking the Americas, ‘Despacito’ by Luis Fonsi.

Favourite London discoveries?

There’s a great old pub in Knightsbridge, the Grenadier. It’s like being transported into a village.

Where would you go for a nightcap?

Barts. It’s one of these places where you have to knock three times on the door to be let in and there are no signs for it.

Best meal you’ve had?

Rules in Covent Garden is a classic; it’s the oldest restaurant in London. Last time I went for the slow-cooked lamb. They do the classics but with a high-end twist. I’m big into the Sunday brunches at Dishoom; they do a great bacon naan.

San Miguel ambassador Levison Wood will be speaking at The San Miguel Experience on 19-21 July (sanmiguelexperience.eventbrite.co.uk)

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