Photo: Anthony O'Neil / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Apsley House is a Grade I listed historic house in City of Westminster, cared for by English Heritage. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Apsley House
Apsley House stands at Hyde Park Corner in London, a Grade I listed neoclassical townhouse built in the 1770s by Robert Adam for Lord Apsley.
It became known as Number One, London, since it was the first house travellers reached after the Knightsbridge tollgate.
Richard Wellesley purchased the house in 1807, and it passed to his younger brother Arthur in 1817, who became the 1st Duke of Wellington after his victory at Waterloo.
The Duke had it substantially remodelled from 1819 onwards, with major work between 1828 and 1830, creating much of the grand interior seen today.
English Heritage runs the property as the Wellington Museum following an Act of Parliament in 1947, though the 9th Duke of Wellington maintains a private apartment on the northern half of the ground floor.
The house holds the Wellington Collection, built around paintings, silver and sculpture gathered by the 1st Duke.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Apsley House
Richard Wellesley bought the house in 1807 and it passed in 1817 to his younger brother Arthur, who became the 1st Duke of Wellington after his victory at Waterloo. The Duke had it remodelled and enlarged from 1819 onwards, with substantial work between 1828 and 1830, giving it much of the grand interior seen today. In 1947 an Act of Parliament gave the house its official status as the Wellington Museum, formalising public access alongside the family's continued residence.
Architecture of Apsley House
Robert Adam designed the original house in the neoclassical style in the 1770s, and it was substantially remodelled from 1819 onwards for the 1st Duke of Wellington. The building is Grade I listed and is considered one of the few surviving examples of a complete English aristocratic townhouse of its period.
Worth knowing
The collection includes Spanish paintings including works by Velázquez and Goya acquired by the 1st Duke. The house contains significant neoclassical sculpture and decorative arts reflecting the Duke's military career and his standing in European society.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Apsley House
Address: W1J 7NT
Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner Underground Station (0 miles)
Places to visit near Apsley House
Wellington Arch
View Wellington Arch on heritage mapChapter House and Pyx Chamber
View Chapter House and Pyx Chamber on heritage mapWestminster Abbey
View Westminster Abbey on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Apsley House (W1J) there are 26 historic properties, including 12 historic houses, 3 museums and 3 palaces, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Apsley House (W1J) there are 40 historic properties, including 21 historic houses, 5 palaces and 3 historic buildings, across Historic Houses, National Trust and English Heritage sites.
Within 20 miles of Apsley House (W1J) there are 73 historic properties, including 39 historic houses, 6 palaces and 6 historic buildings, across Historic Houses, National Trust and English Heritage sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near Apsley House.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
A working aristocratic townhouse that is both a family home and a museum of the man who defeated Napoleon.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- City of Westminster, England
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