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Apsley House - London Hotels .com

In the years before the American Revolutionary war, back when the eastern seaboard of the new world consisted of 13 British colonies, it was business as usual across the pond in England’s capital city.  The Apsley House was built from 1771-1778 for the Lord Chancellor who gave the house its name.

Every Duke of Wellington to this day has, at some point, called the Apsley House home.  The 8th Duke of Wellington presently has part time living quarters on the grounds, the rest of which is a museum open to the public. The artifacts inside the museum tell the story of the past 250 years of English Aristocracy.

The House is also referred to as the Wellington Museum, or Number One London. It is called Number One London because it is the first building you see when coming from the countryside after paying the toll at Knightsbridge.  It is located on the southeast corner of Hyde Park. The official address is 149 Piccadilly, W1J 7NT.

The first Duke of Wellington acquired such a large collection of art that a gallery was added to the house in 1819. The Waterloo gallery was one of two rooms that were added to the original five. The gallery was named after the Dukes famous battle, defeating Napoleon at Waterloo. Apsley House holds an annual banquet on June 18th to commemorate the battle that took place in 1815

The inside of the building holds an extensive collection of art, and elaborate gifts given to the Dukes of Wellington over the years. The building holds an impressive collection of original furniture. Elaborate gifts from European leaders are still on display at the Apsley House. Antonio Canova’s famous Nude statue “Napoleon as mars the peacemaker” has spent time in the Louvre. It was purchased by the government for the Duke in 1816 and has called Number One London home ever since.

The collection is interesting, and to help tell the story the artifacts lie in their original home.  The Apsley House is more than a museum, it is a living monument. The building has been preserved to show the visitor how the Duke of Wellington lived over 200 years ago. The First Duke of Wellington was the most powerful commander in Europe while he lived in this very residence.  Come see how one of the most powerful men of his time lived.

If you take a tour of London it is sure to bring you to this famous residence. If you are seeing London on your own time you might want to stay in this area. Hotel Accommodations near Apsley House include The Intercontinental London Park Lane, and the Lanesborough, a St. Regis hotel.  Just seeing the Apsley House from the outside conjures up daydreams of another time. When it is time to sightsee and learn about London’s rich history this is a great place to start.