Christmas with Angellica Bell

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There’s a reason Angellica Bell is particularly excited about Christmas this year. The TV and radio presenter has been painstakingly restoring her Victorian home and she can’t wait to share it with friends and extended family.

“I wanted a house that everyone could pile round to and feel at home in,” she says, as she shows us into the lounge. A large fireplace creates a hub surrounded by sofas, there’s a vintage chair she has had reupholstered, antique finds picked up locally, and the most stunning chandelier in the centre of the room. “It took me and Michael hours to put that together,” she laughs, as she points out the various glass pieces that make up the light.

It illustrates perfectly the love that she and her husband have put into the house, which they were drawn to because of its period details and proximity to Richmond Park. The property features original cornicing, brought back to its former glory, ceiling roses sourced, after much research into styles at the time, from Thomas & Wilson in Fulham, and beautiful floorboards that have been restored, having been discovered under old parquet

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Photography: Rebecca Cresta

Hair: Esther at Gina Conway Salon

Make-up: Kate Kent

But the renovation journey brought its challenges. Asbestos had to be safely removed, a lath and plaster ceiling had to be replaced, and there was a flood. Apart from moving out for a few days while the asbestos was taken care of, they have lived on site. “It can be tricky but being here means you are on hand to make decisions quickly.”

There are nice surprises, too. Hidden in the fireplaces were intriguing old photos and postcards. The walls revealed the original wallpaper. “I adore old houses and their history. This was built in 1860 and it’s fascinating to think about the people who’ve lived here.” A trip to Kingston History Centre is planned so she can find out as much as she can about the house.

Her advice for those looking to restore an old property? “If you don’t have patience, don’t do it. And you never know what you might uncover so you have to be ready for the unexpected. You also need to find the right people who are sympathetic to a restoration project.”

Angellica has been scouring antique shops including the Packhouse in Farnham and markets such as Sunbury Antiques at Kempton Park. She’s picked up some bargains, including a £20 chest that she’s going to renovate. Personal items are important too such as her grandmother’s drinks trolley, which has been restored.

“We’re now onto the next stage, which includes choosing curtains and carpets. That’s the fun bit. There’s also the kitchen and utility still to do…”

Angellica and Michael, who is a teacher at a local school, can’t wait to put up the Christmas decorations, cook some festive treats and enjoy downtime with their children. While they don’t yet have a new kitchen, they’ll be baking in the old Aga. Angellica, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2017 and has written a recipe book, Fantastic Eats!, loves making mince pies. “You can’t beat a homemade mince pie. And sausage rolls – I add apricots and cranberries to the sausage meat, which is delicious. I also like making a chocolate yule log.”

While she’s cooking, on her playlist will be Mariah Carey. “All I Want For Christmas is my favourite festive song. Actually, I have two: Paul McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime. But Mariah is Mrs Christmas, and when you hear that on the radio in November it’s the start of the anticipation.”

As for her Christmas traditions, she says: “I always buy the Radio Times and circle all the things we want to watch. I also still write Christmas cards. I think it’s lovely to receive cards and hear the sound of the postman dropping them through the door.”

Every year, the family pick up their locally-grown tree from Hans Christmas Andersen at Santa Fir in Shamley Green and a gorgeous wreath from The Secret Garden in Thames Ditton.

Her favourite local places over the festive season include The Albert pub in Kingston, which has a traditional feel. She loves the market and the lights in the town centre, and the illuminated trail in Kew Gardens. Seeing Santa ride through Wimbledon Village on horseback is also a seasonal highlight.

For New Year’s Eve, there is a family ritual. “We make resolutions, write them down and burn them so they rise up as wishes into the ether. My resolutions aren’t ones that will make me feel guilty if I don’t stick to them but are ideas for what I’d like to achieve – for instance, my broken cello is irreparable so I want to find a second-hand one and take my grade four.”

“It’s important to have things you do for yourself that are separate from work or life, and you don’t want to leave your goals on a bucket list for when you’re older, just do it now.”

The year is quietening down for Angellica and she’s looking forward to new projects in 2025. “There’s nothing set in stone but that’s the gamble you take as a freelancer. I’ve done a lot of radio this year and I’ve enjoyed tapping into this area of broadcasting. As it’s a medium with no visuals, you just need to bring your personality.”

“Come New Year, I’ll be writing down my wishes to send off into the universe and l am excited to see what 2025 will bring.”

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