Pictures of The Wellington Museum
About The Wellington Museum
Apsley House is best known for the fact that it was the home of the Duke of Wellington, but it was originally built by Robert Adam in 1778 as an imposing residence for Baron Apsley. The house occupies an important position at the south-east corner of Hyde Park, when it was first built it became known as Nr.I London, due to the fact that it was the first house travellers passed as they entered the city through its western tollgate.
Arthur Welsley, Ist Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) had an illustrious career as both a soldier and politician, but he is celebrated and remembered best for his outstanding victory against Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815. This is despite being Tory Prime Minister between 1828-1830.
In 1817 the Duke took Apsley House as his London residence, it was altered to suit his taste by architects Benjamin and Philip Wyatt. Here he lavishly entertained the great and the good of his era, particularly the officers who had served him when he won his famous victory. It was also here that he earned for himself the nickname "Iron Duke", after protestors against his Reform Bill broke into his home, the Duke had all the windows fitted with Iron shutters, and thus the name stuck for evermore.
During his lifetime Wellington amassed a wonderful collection of treasures, these include paintings, silverware, ceramics and memorabilia of his times. These are all on show in Apsley House which is now transformed into an interesting museum. Descendents of Wellington still live in the house, the museum occupies ten of the principal rooms including the Long Waterloo Gallery, scene of so many of Wellington's lavish entertainments.
Visitors to the house see important "old masters" by Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyck, Bruegel and Valazquez. There is an interesting massive statue of Napoleon dressed only with a fig leaf, this is by Canova. Another item on show relating to Bonaparte is the elegant dinner service the Emperor gave to Josephine at the time of their divorce.
There is a small exhibition in the basement relating to Wellington's death, this includes his death mask.
The museum gives a fascinating insight into a man whose deeds were applauded during his lifetime, and who continues to be revered to this day.
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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near The Wellington Museum
| Wellington Arch | (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) | Pictures |
| Buckingham Palace | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) | Pictures |
| Queen Victoria Memorial | (0.5 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| The Royal Mews | (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) | Pictures |
| St James's Palace | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) | Pictures |
| Royal Institution of Great Britain | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) | Pictures |
| Faraday Museum | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) | Pictures |
| Green Park | (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) | Pictures |
| Westminster Abbey | (0.7 miles, 1.2 km) | Pictures |
| Marble Arch | (0.8 miles, 1.2 km) | Pictures |
All attractions in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near The Wellington Museum
Mayfair, in the county of Greater London (0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Piccadilly, in the county of Greater London (0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Westminster, in the county of Greater London (0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marylebone, in the county of Greater London (1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
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London, a Historic City in the county of Greater London (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction E)
London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that is best of modern day facilities, shops, theatres...
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Chelsea, in the county of Greater London (1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction SW)
Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Kensington, in the county of Greater London (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction W)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
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St Pancras, in the county of Greater London (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE)
The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome.
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Notting Hill, in the county of Greater London (2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction W)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
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Camden Town, in the county of Greater London (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction N)
Camden town is a vibrant cosmopolitan region of London.
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All towns in Greater LondonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Hyde Park Corner Tube Station | (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) |
| Knightsbridge Tube Station | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| Victoria Station | (0.7 miles, 1.2 km) |
| Charing Cross Station | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction E) |
| M1 Junction 1 | (5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction NW) |
| M4 Junction 1 | (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction W) |
| London City Airport | (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction E) |
| London Heathrow Airport | (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction W) |
Accommodation & Hotels near The Wellington Museum
| Hotel Name |
| Athenaeum | (0.1 miles, 0.2 km) |
| Park Lane Mews Hotel | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) |
| The Ascott Mayfair | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) |
| The Chesterfield Mayfair | (0.3 miles, 0.6 km) |
| Sheraton Park Tower | (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) |
| Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel | (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) |
| Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| The Park Lane Hotel | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| May Fair Hotel | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| Jumeirah Carlton Tower | (0.5 miles, 0.7 km) |
| All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts |