At Hyde Park Corner, where traffic streams and monuments jostle for attention, sits one of London’s quieter treasures: Apsley House. Known as “Number One, London,” it was once the home of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, and remains a time capsule of Regency elegance and military prestige.

Waterloo Gallery at Apsley House - Duke of Wellington’s home

A grand townhouse with history

Built in the late 18th century by Robert Adam, Apsley House was remodelled for the Duke after his victory at Waterloo. Its neoclassical proportions give little away from the outside, but step through the doors and the interiors reveal a world of gilded ceilings, sweeping staircases, and richly panelled rooms.

Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to attend a banquet in the early 1800s? The State Dining Room, where Wellington once entertained kings and ambassadors, still glitters with chandeliers and silver.

Collections on display

The house holds the Wellington Collection — paintings, porcelain, silverware, and gifts presented to the Duke by grateful nations. Works by Velázquez, Rubens, and Goya line the walls, making the gallery a surprise for those expecting only military memorabilia.

There are reminders of the battlefield, too: Wellington’s ceremonial sword, portraits of his campaigns, and the famous 28-foot-long painting of the Battle of Waterloo. Together, they turn the house into both a home and a museum of power.