My London: Mary Greenwell

Home is…

Notting Hill, where I live alone, though periodically with my nephew who is my also my best friend. 

Where would you recommend for a first date? 

Aqua at The Shard. Views are such an inviting thing and so wonderful to share, and hopefully help break the ice. 

Last play you saw?

Lucy Prebble’s A Very Expensive Poison. A farcical take on the very serious business of the state-sponsored assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. It is at once horrific and hilarious and felt very daring. 

Favourite club? 

I’m a founding member of The Groucho Club and have loved it since it opened. It’s a great place to meet and the familiarity feels wonderful. I visit The Box occasionally, too. 

Favourite beauty haunts?

For various small tweaks I visit Dr Yanis Alexandris at 111 Harley Street, who I adore. I also love Dr Wassim Taktouk; he does excellent work, too. Also beauty therapist Joanne Evans at Skin Matters in Holland Park, and for facials I love Teresa Tarmey in Knightsbridge. 

Who is your hero? 

David Attenborough, for very obvious reasons. His work is truly extraordinary and there is no one like him. I wish he was our Prime Minister. 

Where would you like to be buried? 

I’d like my ashes scattered at The Serpentine. It is ravishingly beautiful — I drive through Hyde Park often and am always swept away by that lake in the middle of London. 

Best meal you’ve had? 

It has to be The River Café in Hammersmith. I go perhaps eight times a year.

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

I’d take a big hot air balloon with a bunch of good friends and soar over the city on a sunny day.

What do you collect? 

I started picking up miniature glassware objets wherever I went in the world 20 years ago and now have about 200 pieces. They decorate my bathroom shelves and are so delightful. 

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

Number One London, Astley House on Hyde Park Corner. Not only is it the coolest address and a beautiful building, but I have wonderful memories of being 16 and whizzing round Hyde Park Corner at 80mph in my boyfriend’s sports car with no question of the police stopping us. Another era, another time. So romantic.

Bus, taxi or Tube?

I’m a Tube person through and through but when someone offers me their seat I feel really embarrassed. I hope it’s because I look glamorous rather than old and tired.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

Whenever cabbies call me pretty I instantly fall in love.