Apsley House

Apsley House. Known historically as Number One, London, this grand London residence is one of the city's most significant historic houses. For nearly two centuries, it served as the London home of the Dukes of Wellington, most famously Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Today, it is managed by English Heritage and operates as the Wellington Museum, housing an exceptional collection of fine and decorative arts alongside memorabilia from the First Duke of Wellington's illustrious career.

History

The original house was constructed between 1771 and 1778 for Henry Bathurst, 1st Earl Bathurst, the Lord Chancellor, to designs by the renowned architect Robert Adam. In 1807, it was purchased by Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, the elder brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Financial difficulties forced Richard Wellesley to sell, and the property was acquired in 1817 by the victorious Duke of Wellington himself, fresh from his triumph at the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke extensively remodeled the building to accommodate the magnificent gifts bestowed upon him by grateful European sovereigns, including the King of Prussia and Emperor of Russia. It remained the primary London seat of subsequent Dukes of Wellington, with the family donating the house and its core collections to the nation in 1947, though a private apartment is retained by the present Duke of Wellington.

Architecture

The original Georgian structure by Robert Adam was a refined, red-brick building. Following his purchase, the First Duke of Wellington commissioned architect Benjamin Dean Wyatt to enlarge and reface the house in the fashionable Neoclassical style. The most striking external addition was the facing of Bath stone, giving the house its imposing, pale appearance. The interior was transformed into a sequence of grand state rooms suitable for a national hero, most notably the magnificent Waterloo Gallery, added in the 1820s to display the Duke's collection of Old Master paintings. The monumental staircase and the lavish gilding throughout exemplify the Regency taste for opulence, creating a fitting backdrop for the Duke's official entertaining.

Collections

The house preserves one of the finest collections of fine and decorative arts in London, largely amassed through gifts and purchases by the First Duke of Wellington. The picture collection is outstanding, featuring masterpieces by artists such as Diego Velázquez, Johannes Vermeer, and Peter Paul Rubens, many received from the Spanish Crown after the Peninsular War. The Portuguese Service, a 1,000-piece silver-gilt dining service presented by the Portuguese Council of Regency, is a highlight of the decorative arts. The collection also includes an extraordinary array of militaria, honors, and diplomatic gifts, including the Waterloo Shield, a massive silver service from the City of London, and porcelain from the Sèvres manufactory given by King Louis XVIII of France.

Wellington Museum

Operated as the Wellington Museum by English Heritage, the house functions as a memorial to the life and times of the First Duke of Wellington. The museum's displays are arranged within the historic interiors, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of the Duke's state apartments. Key exhibits focus on his military career, with relics from the Battle of Assaye, the Peninsular War, and the Battle of Waterloo, including his famous Waterloo despatch. The museum also explores his later political roles as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Constable of the Tower of London, presenting a comprehensive portrait of one of Britain's foremost figures.

Location and access

Apsley House holds a commanding position at Hyde Park Corner, directly adjacent to Hyde Park and opposite the Wellington Arch. Its address, "Number One, London," derived from it being the first house encountered after the old Knightsbridge tollgate when entering the capital from the west. It is situated within the City of Westminster, close to other major landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Green Park. The house is easily accessible via the London Underground, with the nearest stations being Hyde Park Corner and Green Park. It is open to the public as a museum, while the surrounding Hyde Park Corner area features other monuments, including the Australian War Memorial and the Machine Gun Corps Memorial.

Category:Houses in London Category:Museums in London Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster