It’s a Sin and The Witcher: Blood Origin actor Nathaniel Curtis
(Picture: Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd)I live in a fancy-but-falling-apart period flat in Pimlico, with high ceilings and single glazing.
I was in a messy west London house share for years, but decided it was time to live like an adult. A friend had a spare room and asked if I wanted to come and live in Zone 1 with her and her dog, which was possibly the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me. I did my best Jane Bennet impression: yes, a thousand times yes.
There are lots of families and older people in Pimlico — it’s a place for those who want to settle down.
Best eating and drinking
Everything’s closed by 11pm, but it’s brilliant for pubs — you’ve got some absolute bangers. I love The Constitution on Churton Street, which has resisted the gastropub thing. It runs comedy nights and a good quiz on a Wednesday.
A couple of doors down is Cacio & Pepe, an Italian restaurant with food that’s just unbelievable. It’s run by this brother and sister who speak about six languages. They’ll have beef carpaccio or squid, rather than the same old carbonara.
I get my coffee from The Roasting. The staff remember my name and my order, which makes me feel like I’m living in a rom com.
Where I work out
I had to quickly magic back some abs before filming Blood Origin, so I started swimming at Queen Mother Sports Centre. A new piercing and tattoo later and I’m out of the habit.
It’s a beautiful 40-minute walk through St James’ Park to get to my gym in Piccadilly. I always work out solo – I don’t ‘get’ classes. If I’m going to be sweating and making awful sounds I want to be in my own little world.
For a culture fix
It took me almost a year to realise that I had the Tate Britain on my doorstep, plopped in the middle of this pretty, residential area. I tend to go for the permanent collections rather than exhibitions, but I always find something new.
There’s a Curzon cinema in Victoria, which is very cute, and I love seeing the crowds outside the theatres – you’ve got The Other Palace, plus Hamilton and Wicked. I’ve seen Wicked three times and it’s always so well-performed.
To commune with nature
If you want to find some green, it’s up to St James’ Park or over the bridge to Battersea Park. That’s where I’ll go to find a quiet moment in nature. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn, with the leaves falling.
We’re less than 10 minutes’ walk from the river, which I never take for granted.
Grocery shopping
I go to the big Sainsburys for my weekly shop, but there’s also a Tesco Express, a Little Waitrose and an M&S by Victoria station. There are some lovely Italian delis and Asian supermarkets, which you wouldn’t necessarily expect.
Getting around
If I’ve got time and it’s not too hot, I’ll walk. I’m 6’5” with so much leg – I look like the real-life male version of Barbie.
Transport is one of the best things about Pimlico. You’ve got the Victoria and District lines, as well as the main line at Victoria station. Even the buses are more reliable than other parts of London I’ve lived in.
That said, the District line is useless. Sometimes I could have licked my way to my destination faster.
Dream street
All the streets here look quite same-y, with rows of townhouses, but Denbeigh Street is particularly peaceful and out of the way. I’m a night time tea kind of person.
Something you only see in Pimlico
There was a midnight snowball fight on the street in December, and someone yelled out of their window. It’s so tame for Zone 1.
What’s the catch?
Sometimes you’ve just got to let your hair down on a spontaneous night out, and Pimlico is not the place for that. I’d also say that there aren’t many people who look like me, if you catch my drift.
Three words
Peaceful. Low-key. Well-connected.
Nathaniel Curtis can currently be seen in The Witcher: Blood Origin on Netflix, streaming now.
Schools
Pimlico Primary is rated Outstanding, while Churchill Gardens and St. Gabriel’s are Good. Pimlico Academy is the main secondary in the area, and there are two prep schools in Eaton Square and Westminster Under. Fairley House School is a specialist day school for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia.
What it costs
Buying in Pimlico
Average flat price: £872,920
Average house price: £2,162,840
Renting in Pimlico
Average flat price, pcm: £2,570
Average house price, pcm: £5,580
