Celebrity Best Days Out – Louis Theroux

 Louis Theroux is one of those people who feels like he’s always been part of the British cultural landscape – the quietly curious man who can sit opposite almost anyone and somehow get them talking. The award-winning British-American filmmaker, journalist and author first made his name exploring strange and fascinating worlds in his documentaries, and over the years he’s become one of the most distinctive interviewers in television.

Despite travelling the globe for work, Louis is very much a Londoner at heart. He went to school here at Westminster and now lives in West London with his lovely wife, TV producer Nancy Strang, and their three sons – so he knows the city, and the realities of family life, pretty well.

He’s as busy as ever. His latest documentary Inside the Manosphere, sees him tackling one of the internet’s most controversial corners and his recent film The Settlers is still streaming on BBC iPlayer, along with a veritable goldmine of his past work . Alongside his films, he’s also become a major voice in podcasting with The Louis Theroux Podcast, following the success of his lockdown series Grounded.

We’re especially pleased to have him on KidRated because Louis is also a genuine friend of the site – curious, thoughtful and always up for discovering interesting places around London. Exactly the sort of guide you want when planning a brilliant day out.

What was your favourite place to visit in London as a kid?

I lived in South London with my mum, dad and brother. Our Sunday ritual was to get an Indian meal at the Taj Mahal in Putney and then go and run around in Richmond Park. It was my favourite place to visit as a kid, especially in the Autumn as there were swathes of bracken you could play hide-and-seek in. 

Where is your favourite place to eat with your family?

My favourite place to eat with the family is Giraffe on the South Bank. It’s not that the food is amazing but they are kid-friendly and you can make noise without feeling too self-conscious.

They also do pretty good juices, coffees and Bloody Marys.

Afterwards, you can wander around the South Bank and browse the secondhand books at the outdoor market and maybe buys some freshly fried churros from one of the food vans.

Where in the UK would you recommend to another family?

I’d recommend staying in a hotel for a change instead of an airbnb, and maybe doing it in the UK.

A few years ago, we spent three nights at Losehill House Hotel and Spa in Derbyshire in the Peak District. It was the first time in ages we’d been waited on instead of self-catering. It felt like pure luxury.

Rambles through beautiful countryside, then warming up beside a fire, with cocktails and a delicious meal.

What would be your perfect family day out?

A perfect day out with the family would probably involve a visit to a historical house or stately home, a National Trust property, with grounds to run around in.

Other activities would include looking at a few paintings, getting lunch or maybe a picnic, then playing hide and seek outside.

Polesden Lacey in Surrey, Cliveden in Berkshire, Hever Castle in Kent are all tested and approved by the Theroux family

Name THREE places you love going with your kids…?

Three places I love going with my kids: Kew Gardens; Chinese meal plus 10 pin bowling in QUEENS SKATE DINE BOWL; pub meal plus walk along the Thames around Chiswick.

Special mention: lunch at Rubio’s in Harlesden and then a walk down to Roundwood Park. We sometimes use the skatepark there.

Bus, Tube, Taxi, Walk or Cycle?

For transportation: definitely cycle if I’m on my own… The Bike Project take secondhand bikes, fix them up and donate them to refugees and asylum seekers in London and Birmingham. Louis donated his bike to The Bike Project in 2019.

Give us your #LondonLifeHack

If you time it right, you can picnic outside the Regent’s Park Theatre and listen to the music spill over. I enjoyed half a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar a few years ago. Granted, it’s a bit muffled, but you can get the gist.

Refugee Support Network helps refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people build more hopeful futures through education, which Louis strongly supports.