Apsley House — Attraction in London

Nice place to visit but ruined by overzealous bored staff. Went on a Thursday afternoon so nice and quiet. Once you have sorted out your ticket they give you an audio guide set to use and go around at your leisure. I was wearing a small back pack (12L) but there's nowhere to leave it and as everything is either screwed to the wall or in glass cases it wasn't going to be an issue.

After about ten minutes walking around an attendant came up to me and asked if I could wear my backpack on my front. When I asked why she said that I may bump into or knock other visitors. I looked around and could see only 3 other people in the huge room I was in! Well I've been walking on these legs for many years now and apart from the first few months of use I have stopped bumping in to things long ago. However I did as asked but found it uncomfortable so I was told that i could wear the backpack on my side.. No issue with that so carried on with my tour. In another room ten minutes later I was stopped once again and asked to have the back pack on my side to be lower, like down by my legs. I wasn't being difficult but I did say, and felt, that this was now getting ridiculous. For the next 15 minutes these same attendants followed me as I went from room to room on my tour and it felt like they were waiting to pounce again. It made me feel uncomfortable, like being back at school. I was glad to leave. Far to many staff attendants there with nothing to do but be petty. English Heritage may want to look at their staffing levels here and consider transferring...

Apsley House, located at Hyde Park Corner in London, is a historic Georgian building that was once the home of the Duke of Wellington, the renowned British military leader who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Also known as "Number 1, London" due to its prominent position as the first house encountered when entering London from the west, Apsley House remains one of the city's most significant landmarks.

Built in the late 18th century, the house is famous for its neoclassical architecture, with its grand facade and elegant interiors showcasing the opulence of the period. The Duke of Wellington acquired the property in 1817, and it soon became both his residence and a repository for a remarkable collection of art and treasures.

Today, Apsley House functions as a museum, managed by English Heritage, where visitors can explore rooms filled with paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, including works by Velázquez, Rubens, and Goya. The museum also houses an impressive collection of gifts and memorabilia presented to the Duke after his military victories.

Apsley House stands as a monument to both British history and art, offering insight into the life of one of the country’s most celebrated figures and the grandeur of early 19th-century aristocratic life. It is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and art...

Great experience outing with my teenager boy. We learn so much about Duke of Welllington and the history of his life on this house . Great outing :

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The Duke of Wellington is best known military leadership during the Napoleonic Wars.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿He gained renown for his five-year campaign against the French during the Peninsular War, and for leading the allies against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Today we are visiting Apsley House, Wellington’s home, No 1 London, on the corner of Hyde Park, which contains plenty of memorabilia from Waterloo, the famous battle that defined him.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The most impressive room in my opinion is the Waterloo Gallery where paintings of Napoleon and Napoleonic battle from Waterloo sit along other master paintings, from Caravaggio, Raphael and Velasquez, gifts from the Spanish Royal family after his victories over the French in the Peninsular Wars.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Napoleon and Duke of Wellington, paradoxically born the same year, two old enemies and the greatest captains of their age, meet for their final battle at Waterloo.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Highlight Memorabilia: The Waterloo Shield : Silver gilt. The central group shows Wellington being crowned by the figure of Victory. The surrounding ten reliefs show scenes from Wellington’s...