Victoria Siddall loves a theatre night at the Old Vic and a blast of karaoke after a meal at Toklas. These are all her favourite places and experiences in London.
Home is …
A terraced house in SE1, walking distance from Borough Market and the South Bank, with a pub on the corner and a shop that’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — all the joys of London. I have lived there with my family for 10 years; before that it was a tiny studio in Bethnal Green.
Where do you stay in London?
I rarely stay in hotels here but the dream would be a weekend at Claridge’s, with cocktails in The Fumoir and room-service breakfasts.
Where was your first flat?
I briefly lived above a pub in Camden, where I was working behind the bar, in the summer I left school. This was in the 1990s in the midst of Britpop, the YBAs and Cool Britannia — quite a moment to be young in London.
What was your first job in the city?
Other than the Camden pub, my first job was at Christie’s on King Street, St James’s, just after graduation — I arrived in London in June 2000, just as Tate Modern opened its doors. I worked with many different specialist departments, it was a great crash course in art history.
We have had a few bookings recently for marriage proposals
Where would you recommend for a first date?
The National Portrait Gallery, of course — first an exhibition and then dinner at The Portrait Restaurant. We have had a few bookings recently for marriage proposals. If the first date goes well there is also the option to come back.
Which shops do you rely on?
Neal’s Yard Dairy for cheese and St John Bakery in Borough; and House of Voltaire in Clapham, for artist-designed gifts.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
I worked at Frieze for 18 years with Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover. They talked about food almost as much as they talked about art, so it was no surprise when they opened Toklas — and no surprise that it’s fantastic.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
The gallery walls are covered with iconic people so it’s hard to choose one. However, we did recently acquire a rare daguerreotype of Ada Lovelace who was an extraordinary woman — she was born in 1815 and became the world’s first computer programmer.
Where do you go to have fun?
I love a night at the theatre. My home is close to the Old Vic and walking distance from the National Theatre. I saw Born with Teeth across the street from the NPG recently — Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel were electrifying.
Where do you exercise?
You can’t beat a brisk walk through London’s parks — they are gorgeous in every season.
There are a surprising number of good singers in the culture sector
Where do you let your hair down?
Ideally a dinner with friends, followed by karaoke. There are a surprising number of good singers in the culture sector.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
I have a weakness for good restaurants and we really are spoilt for choice in London.
What’s your London secret?
The area I live in feels like a well-kept secret. It has great pubs like The Anchor & Hope, and plenty of museums close by.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
We are about to open Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World and we just announced our exhibition programme for 2026 that includes Lucian Freud, Catherine Opie, Marilyn Monroe and Tim Walker. The gallery has also been transformed by a series of commissioned projects by nine artists, thanks to a partnership with the Chanel Culture Fund.
What do you collect?
I have been obsessed with written correspondence since I was a child and love receiving letters. I have kept many over the years; needless to say, they are increasingly rare and so all the more precious.
Which podcast are you obsessed with?
I’m enjoying Bella Freud’s Fashion Neurosis — she has fascinating guests.
Favourite work of art in London?
The one I am lucky to see every day adorns the main doors of the National Portrait Gallery — 45 drawings by Tracey Emin etched in bronze and representing every woman.
What was the last thing you googled?
Museums in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas — I am heading there for Jenny Saville’s exhibition, which travels from the NPG to the Modern in Fort Worth.
Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World is at the National Portrait Gallery until January 11; npg.org.uk
