Claire Foy’s London
London will always hold a special place in the heart of actress CLAIRE FOY. Here, the star of Wolf Hall and The Crown shares her tips for uncovering unexpected moments in the city
“I’ve lived all over London; north, south, east and west. My mother’s family lived in north London so I grew up coming to the suburbs from my home in Buckinghamshire. My earliest memory is from when I was around five or six years old, playing [childhood game] British Bulldog at my nan’s house. Even though I’ll leave the city at some point, I have to have a foot in London somehow. I’ve always had London in my blood.”
For a chic sleep…
“I love all the Firmdale Hotels, especially the Covent Garden Hotel. The breakfast is the best and you’re on Monmouth Street, right in Covent Garden, so it’s a perfect base. It’s got no swimming pool though, so I go to The Langham or The Berkeley to swim. The Henrietta Hotel recently opened, and I’m desperate to go there. I love hotels.”
For a piece of paradise…
“Highgate Wood is the best green space in London. I go running there; it’s like being in the countryside. You can just walk off and there’s no-one around. It’s got an amazing playground for kids, too. It’s so beautiful, like a wilderness. But my favorite view of the city is from Alexandra Palace, looking south towards the Shard. It’s beautiful.”
To relax…
“Oh God, I love cocktails. I drink cosmopolitans at The Rosewood hotel’s amazing bar – I think I’m in Sex and the City! I also really want to go to the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V&A, but I can’t get tickets. It’s my must-see. It’s on until November, but I don’t know when I’m going to be able to go because I’m away so much. ”
For a stylish bite…
“Osteria Basilico on Kensington Park Road is an old favorite; I normally have the pasta melanzane. And I love the Italian Lina Stores in Soho. Sunday morning in Soho is incredible; I go to Bar Italia because it’s so quiet and all the people who work there have been up all night, which is pretty amazing. I get cannoli or a bacon sandwich and a coffee.”
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