A Visit to Three Special Buildings in Bayswater

A unique opportunity to visit a trio of exceptional buildings, all within two minutes of each other and being specially opened for the DAS. Built between 1877 and 1882 in distinct styles to serve different faiths in the then newly developed area of Bayswater, they remain remarkably intact. The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Aghia Sophia (Grade 1 listed) by John Oldrid Scott in the Byzantine style has a spectacular, domed interior lined with dazzling mosaics. The New West End Synagogue (Grade 1), with a magnificent marble and rare wood interior and fine stained glass, is a Romanesque design by George Audsley: we shall see exquisite silver, plus early electric light fittings (1895) by George Aitcheson. The soaring, gothic St Matthew’s Anglican church (Grade 2*) by John Johnson, includes fine stained glass, some by Morris after Burne-Jones.