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Apsley House - The Wellington Museum
149 Piccadilly, London W1

Apsley House, on the south-east corner of Hyde Park, was once known as No. I London.It was the first building past the tollgate into capital for travellers westward. 

The house was built by Robert Adam in 1778 for Baron Apsley.  Fifty years later the house was enlarged and altered by the architects Benjamin and Philip Wyatt to provide an imposing London home for Arthur Welsley, 1st Duke of Wellington.  

The Duke's dual career as soldier and politician brought him victory against Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815 and a term as Tory Prime Minister in 1828 - 30.   Known as the 'Iron Duke', Wellington earned the nickname for the iron shutters he had installed at Apsley House after rioters broke the windows in protest over his Reform Bill. The house was Wellington's London residence from 1817 until his death in 1852. 

Wellington's descendants still live at Apsley House, but ten restored rooms are open to the public as the Wellington Museum. 

The Adam interiors contain sculpture, paintings, silverware, ceramics, trophies and memorabilia.  The paintings are mostly of Wellington's contemporaries and victories but there is also some old masters, including Rubens, Bruegel, Caravaggio, Valazquez and Van Dyck. 

Dominating the art collection is the sculpture of Wellington's rival Napoleon wearing only a fig leaf.  This double life-size statue by Canova is 11foot high.

The long Waterloo Gallery, based on Versailles, was added by Benjamin Wyatt, and here the Duke hosted lavish banquets for the officers who served him at Waterloo.

The basement has an exhibition relating to the Duke's death, including his death mask, and a collection of ceramics.  The highlight of this is the Sèvres Egyptian dinner service, given to Josephine by Napoleon to mark their divorce.                       

Admission charge

Opening Times

Open:1st Apr-31 Oct : Wed-Sun 11:00-17:00, and Bank Holidays 1 Nov-31 Mar: Wed-Sun 11:00-16:00. Closed:Mon, Tues and 24-26 Dec, and 1 Jan. Opening times and admission prices are subject to change each year from 1 Apr, please telephone to check Tel: 020 7499 5676 Admission Charge

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