Living in Pimlico: Actor Nathaniel Curtis on his luxurious corner of Zone 1

I had lived in a dilapidated house in west London for years but decided it was time to live like an adult. A friend had a spare room and asked if I’d like to come stay with her and her dog in Zone 1, which was possibly the most romantic thing anyone ever said to me. I did my best Jane Bennett impression: Yes, a thousand times yes.

There are a lot of families and older people in Pimlico – it’s a place for people who want to settle down.

best food and drink

Everything closes by 11pm, but it’s brilliant for pubs – you have some great banging songs. I love Constitution on Churton Street, which has protested against the gastropub thing. It runs comedy nights on Wednesdays and a good quiz.

A few doors down is Cacio & Pepe, an Italian restaurant with incredible food. It is run by this brother and sister who speak about six languages. They’ll have beef carpaccio or squid instead of the same old carbonara.

I get my coffee from The Roasting. The staff remembers my name and my order, which makes me feel like I’m living in a rom com.

where i work out

I had to get some abs back quick before filming blood genesis, So I started swimming at the Queen Mother Sports Center. One new piercing and tattoo later and I’m out of habit.

It’s a 40-minute walk from St James’s Park to my gym in Piccadilly. I always work out alone – I don’t get classes. If I’m sweating and making horrible sounds I want to live in my own little world.

for a culture reform

It took me about a year to realize that I had the Tate Britain on my doorstep, right in the middle of this lovely, residential area. I go for permanent collections rather than exhibitions, but I always find something new.

There’s a Curzon cinema in Victoria, which is lovely, and I love seeing the crowds outside the cinemas – you have The Other Palace, plus hamilton And Wicked. I have seen Wicked Three times and it always performs great.

to communicate with nature

If you want to find something green, it’s St James’s Park or across the bridge to Battersea Park. That’s where I’ll go to find a quiet moment in nature. It’s especially beautiful in autumn, with the leaves falling.

We are less than a 10 minute walk to the river, which I never take lightly.

grocery shopping

I go to the big Sainsbury’s 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 that you wouldn’t expect.

getting around

If I have time and it’s not too hot, I’ll go for a walk. I’m 6’5″ and I have huge legs – I look like a real-life male version of Barbie.

Transportation is one of the best things about Pimlico. You have 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, District Line sucks. Sometimes I could swiftly lick my way to my destination.

street of dreams

All the streets here look pretty much the same, with rows of townhouses, but Denbeg Street is particularly peaceful and out of the way. I am a night time tea drinker.

something you only see in pimlico

There was a snowball fight in the street at midnight in December, and someone shouted out their window. It is great for zone 1.

what’s the catch?

Sometimes you just have to let your hair down for a spontaneous night out, and Pimlico is not the place for that. I will also say that there are not many people who look like me, if you catch my drift.

three words

peaceful. less important. well connected.

Nathaniel Curtis can currently be seen in The Witcher: Blood Origins on Netflix, which is streaming now.

schools

Pimlico Primary is rated Excellent, while Churchill Gardens and St Gabriel’s are Good. Pimlico Academy is the main secondary in the area, and there are two prep schools at Eaton Square and Westminster Under. Fairley House School is a specialist day school for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia.

What is its price

Shopping at 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

Source: Land Registry and Hampton