Actor Annabel Scholey may now call Somerset home, but London remains a second home after 20 years in the capital. From cocktail bars and foodie haunts to five-star hotels, she shares the 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.
Staying in Style at the Ned
Scholey stays at the Ned several times for work, describing it as feeling like an episode of Poirot. She enjoys the old-fashioned phones in the rooms, the cocktail station with crystal water glasses, and the basement spa with a pool and hammam, plus restaurants with live music upstairs.
Her first London flat was on Fulham Palace Road with her then-boyfriend, whose parents owned it, featuring a roof terrace. She also enjoyed getting to know East Dulwich and Honor Oak.
First Jobs and First Dates
Her first job was at Oliver Bonas in Putney, where she worked with her now-sister-in-law, who introduced her to her husband. Her first acting role was in Poirot, alongside David Suchet, Monica Dolan, Lucy Punch, and Michael Fassbender.
For a first date, she recommends Nightjar in Old Street, citing its vintage 1930s vibe, low lighting, and amazing cocktails. Her own first date with her husband was at Berners Tavern at the Edition hotel, where they shared Chateaubriand, mashed potatoes, chocolate and hazelnut praline tart, and lots of wine.
Favourite Shops and Local Secrets
Scholey frequents Crumbs and Doilies in Kingly Court for cupcakes for her family. When living in Lordship Lane, she shopped at Frost, a mid-century furniture shop on Bellenden Road in Peckham, and The Cheese Block on Lordship Lane. She also loves the Sézane store in Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill.
For fun, she mentions Cafe Boheme on Old Compton Street, where she lived for a year in her twenties. Her London secret is Cordelia's Reflexology, whom she calls a magician.
Work and Heroes
Scholey has wrapped on Netflix's The Lords' Day and is promoting Winter, a new ITV detective show, while preparing for series three of Rivals. She names Kate Winslet as her hero, describing her as authentic, brilliant, and talented. Her biggest extravagance is five-star hotels, with the Ned and the Edition as favourites, despite the cost.
