Lovely Byzantine cathedral overlooking a square in Victoria which is tiled to reflect the beauty of the building but unfortunately trimmed with corrugated metal office blocks, McDonalds and a busy filthy road. There are precious few reasons to visit this part of town but the cathedral is worth the trip. It is one of London’s most beautiful places.

Inside, the place is unfinished. There are several massive domes, intended to be burnished or finished with mosaic, which remain unadorned, great black expanses that suck in the light. Let’s hope the Catholic church never coughs up to finish the job because those unadorned roof domes are a weird but wonderful finish to the rest of the cathedral which is beautifully ornate and elaborate in high Catholic style.

Masses are said throughout the day and there is choral matins which is absolutely beautiful – the Cathedral Choir is the best boys choir in London. Full scale concerts are often held here and the acoustics are magnificent.