Alfred Walter Bayes was born in Langfield, Todmorden, Yorkshire, England on 19 December 1831, the son of William Bayes (1799-1851), a shoe-maker who in 1845 established a museum, library and school-room in Todmorden. All members of the Bayes family took part in running the enterprise which was funded by the Mutual Improvement Society. Alfred Walter Bayes taught at the school and his occupation in the 1851 England and Wales Census was given as Schoolmaster. However, in the 1861 Census it was given as Artist (Oil painting). By then he had already begun exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London although he appears to have received no formal training as an artist. He was a frequent exhibitor at the RA from 1858 to 1909. He also exhibited at the New Water-Colour Society, Royal Society of British Artists, Dudley Gallery, New Gallery, Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Royal Institute of Oil Painters in London; Royal Birmingham Society of Artists; Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; Manchester City Art Gallery; and at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin.