My London: Angela Scanlon

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.

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.

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.

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.