Apsley House

Grand and historic Apsley House is the former home of the first Duke of Wellington, a palatial abode with dazzling interiors, rich in treasures and famous works of art.

Enjoy a visit to Apsley House with Go City®

• With us, there are no entry fees on the day – all you've got to do is show your pass.
• View the stunning art collection belonging to the first Duke of Wellington, with many pieces gifted to him by famous European rulers.
• Take in the striking interiors of the aristocratic mansion, including the State Dining Room and the grand Waterloo Gallery.
• Your pass gives you access to dozens more of the city's top attractions, so make sure to check them out!

Welcome to Apsley House, the London home of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, famed for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. 

The grand house today serves as a museum dedicated to the man and his accomplishments, with the wonderfully maintained mansion showcasing his extensive collection of fine art, a wealth of memorabilia from his military campaigns and political career.

The museum also displays objects belonging to the duke, including clothing, medals, and weapons, telling the story of the Duke of Wellington, one of the most celebrated military leaders and statesmen of the 19th Century.

Highlights:

Nude statue of Napoleon – the colossal nude statue of Napoleon by Canova dominates the Stairwell at the centre of the house and had to be reinforced to bear its formidable weight. Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker - bizarrely, the Duke of Wellington had a colossal nude statue of his great foe Napoleon in his house, presenting Napoleon in the form of Roman god Mars.

Napoleon's background – discover more about his victories, private life, tastes and legacy as you take a self-guided, multimedia-enriched tour of his London home.

Art collection – take in the grand home’s fabulous art collection, including works by Rubens, Goya, Titian and Velazquez, many gifted to the Duke of Wellington by King Ferdinand of Spain.

Iron Duke Gallery – the Basement Gallery, filled with memorabilia relating to the Iron Duke, includes a wealth of medals, shields and weaponry.

Interiors of Apsley House– admire the dazzling interiors of Apsley House, with furniture, statues, trinkets and rugs gifted to the military man by a whole range of emperors, tsars and monarchs from across the globe.

Duke of Wellington – the equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington that faces Apsley House from the centre of the roundabout at Hyde Park Corner.

A little history...

Built by famed and fashionable architect Robert Adam between 1771 and 1778 Apsley House was created for Lord Chancellor Henry, 1st Baron Apsley (later 2nd Earl Bathurst) at the entrance to Hyde Park. It was known as Number 1, London because it was the first house encountered by visitors coming from the west and through Knightsbridge.

Following his momentous victory at the Battle of Waterloo, Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington purchased the house. 

Apsley House grew significantly under Wellington. A three-storey extension was added to the north-east, featuring the stunning State Dining Room, new bedrooms and dressing rooms. In 1828, a brand new staircase and the opulent, striking Waterloo Gallery were added to Apsley House. 

Today, part of Apsley House provides a home for the current Duke of Wellington. It is London’s only aristocratic townhouse still in use today. The rest of Apsley opened as a museum in 1952. It is laid out to reflect how it looked during the time of the first Duke of Wellington’s residence.

Apsley House facts

• Wellington is considered one of the greatest ever British military heroes but was in fact born in Dublin, Ireland. 
• There are over 90 pubs named after the Duke of Wellington in the UK.
• Wellington Boots gain their names from the Duke of Wellington. He wore multipurpose, customised footwear during military campaigns, which had a lower heel and more of a lining. They started being manufactured from rubber rather than leather in 1852, but the name stuck.

Special Events

Check the Apsley House website for special events coming up.