In the previous post Rhythm & Reaction I mentioned the interesting interior of Two Temple Place so here are a few photos taken whilst at the exhibition in March.

Perched above Two Temple Place is a gold weathervane replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria ship. Part of his 1492 expedition to discover America

“Two Temple Place is one of London’s architectural gems, an extraordinary late Victorian mansion built by William Waldorf Astor on the Embankment.

The building was originally designed for use as Astor’s estate office by one of the foremost neo-Gothic architects of the late nineteenth-century, John Loughborough Pearson. Astor had emigrated to England in 1891 as, arguably, the richest man in the world and no expense was spared when work began on Two Temple Place in 1892. In addition to the extraordinary, opulent interior, when it was finished in 1895, Two Temple Place contained the largest strong room in Europe as well as two other enormous fortified safes.

Two Temple Place is owned by registered charity, The Bulldog Trust, and functions as its headquarters. As well as facilitating the Trust’s charitable activities, the building supports the Trust though private hire.

Two Temple Place is closed to the public except during the exhibition periods.”

The ornate opulent interior of Two Temple Place

One of two stained glass windows commissioned by William Waldorf Astor reflecting his love of Switzerland. Note the little Swiss flag hoisted on the sailing boat in the little lower right hand panel.

I was off for lunch after my visit so didn’t try the popular cafe but I did browse in the shop where I spied lovely, jazzy Cressida Bell silk scarves.

Two Temple Place shop window display

Here is a beautiful tour of Two Temple Place.

The Astors were, of course, connected with Cliveden.