Timothy Spall

Actor

City of London

Spall’s career spans both stage and screen, and he is perhaps best known to many for his roles in the Harry Potter series, Mr Turner and Oliver Twist

Known for playing a multitude of memorable characters, including his award-winning depiction of artist JMW Turner, Spall grew up in Battersea but now calls the City home.

What are your first memories of the City?

When I was 14 or 15, I was fascinated by The Monument. It was built shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666 to commemorate it. By imagining what London looked like back then, I started to get a real feel for its past.

How did you end up living in the City?

I grew up in south London and we brought our kids up in south-east London. My wife and I moved to the City four years ago – ever since I was a teenager, I’ve wanted to live in the centre of old London. I always get the same feelings of excitement that I did as a kid.

Do you have a favoured public garden in the City?

I like St Mary Aldermanbury Garden in Love Lane, which contains the remains of the former church of St Mary Aldermanbury. It was destroyed in the Great Fire, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren and then blown up during the Blitz. There’s a bust of Shakespeare in the garden, a memorial to the two actors who printed his First Folio of works. Without them, Shakespeare’s work may never have survived in print.

ST PAUL’S IS MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD. IT THRILLS ME EVERY TIME I VISIT. ITS BEAUTY NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME

You and your wife spend much of your time sailing around Europe. Do you look forward to returning to London?

Yes, I completely belong to London. I sometimes jokingly refer to our capital as ‘The Nation State of London’. I feel English, but I am a Londoner above all else. The brilliant thing about this city is that you can move here and become a Londoner. It’s a city that opens its arms wide to accept everybody. And long may it do so.

What is your favourite London building?

St Paul’s. It’s my favourite building in the whole world, it thrills me every time I visit. Its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Since my association with JMW Turner, I have gotten into the habit of going to the crypt to have a word with him. On the way, I have a word with Wellington and Nelson, too.

Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral, houses memorials to notables from Spall’s favourite JMW Turner to Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens

Where is your favourite place to eat in London?

The Jugged Hare, because we often go there for Sunday roasts. It’s the perfect example of the old and new within the City. An old building with a retro restaurant, where pheasants and deer hang from the ceiling. And it’s next door to the Brutalist masterpiece – the Barbican.

What is your favourite London view?

The one from the middle of Waterloo Bridge. At the right time of the day, there is glorious Westminster, the London Eye and the setting sun in one direction, and Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and the City in the other.

Who is your favourite Londoner?

Charles Dickens. He was born in Portsmouth, but just look at the amazing gallery of fictional Londoners he produced. He’s untouchable.