Rooftop view of Bayswater
Photo: Gerry Lynch, GNU Free Documentation License
Bayswater is an area of west London, within the City of Westminster. It is located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Charing Cross and borders the north of Hyde Park, over Kensington Gardens. Bayswater is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of London. It has a significant diversity in its population, with substantial Greek community and is also the centre for London's Brazilian community. Much of Bayswater is made up of Georgian terraces and flats. The property ranges from small studio flats to very expensive apartments.
The area called Bayswater belonged to the Abbey of Westminster when the great record of England -- called Book of Winchester, or Domesday Book -- was compiled in 1086. The most important person staying there was one named Bainiardus, who gave his name to Baynard's Castle. Although his property cannot be traced, his name remained. In 1653, the place was called Baynard's Watering. In 1720, the name "Bear's Watering" was recorded to be in the parish of Paddington. It may therefore be concluded that this patch of ground, always providing excellent spring water, had once supplied Baynard and his household, and his name lives on. Today it is abbreviated to become Bayswater.
Among the famous residents of Bayswater included Winston Churchill, Alexander Fleming and Sting.
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