Reviews of Apsley House. (Museum) in London (London).
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Information of Apsley House, Museum in London (London)
On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.
This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.
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Reviews of Apsley House
N. K.Strange we never been in this house, what a magnificent place! Lots of amazing art to look at, and history about Lord Wellington and his famous battle! Amazingly the 9th Lord still lives upstairs, how great! Very helpful staff telling you many stories if you desire. Definitely place to visit!
B. K.Fascinating and well maintained house with an interesting history. The guides and staff were very informative, extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Photography not allowed inside but well worth a visit
J.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 military career.
a. w.If you've more than a passing interest in the Duke of Wellington or Napoleon, the enemy that he lionised, then you'll enjoy a visit to Apsley House. I took my children to visit because it provides some context - something material, tangible, hopefully memorable - for the period from the Congress of Vienna that redrew the map of Europe to the Reform Riots that were a milestone of our democracy and which targeted the reactionary old Iron Duke in Apsley House. The children liked the silverware and the collection of swords, and so did I, and presumably so did the great general. Upstairs are several rooms of paintings, downstairs one room with swords, snuff boxes and other gifts from a grateful Europe. The 4 not 5 stars is not for any particular shortcomings of the museum, just that it is small, and this is London with the stunning British Museum, the usually empty V&A and so much else that is free.
F. B.Certainly worth a visit. Much, much better than we were expecting. Has the 'wow' factor big time. Fantastic architecture and the collection is beautifully displayed. The audio guide made the visit so much more informative. Absolutely fascinating. Will return!
S. G.Very interesting glad I pay towards English heritage for things I've thus. The guide was really helpful showed us some hidden things and that behind the mirrors were windows that look onto Hyde Park. Couldn't take photo. No always interested in history but I found it fascinating well worth a visit. Won't spoil anymore
L. D.Very interesting collection of gifts and paintings. The house is amazing. I fully recommend to everyone too visit Apsley House
S. P.English Heritage do such a fabulous job at welcoming visitors and making the sites in their accessible to all ages, including children. A highlight was the view of the changing of the guard.
T. B.Wellingtons house after he made his name and fortune. Full of gifts, from grateful European rulers and locals. Alongside a few acquired goods. Quite a few paintings for those art inclined, which isn't my cup of tea
S.Opulent mansion full of treasure. Friendly welcome from staff. Entry includes an excellent multi media audio guide. No photos allowed. As well as Wellington's trophies of war which oddly include many portraits of Napoleon there is also an impressive art collection including paintings by Van Dyck, Velazquez, Rafael and Caravaggio. Well worth a visit.
T. H.Fascinating place, impeccably maintained as it was in Wellington's time and full of wonderful artwork and artefacts gifted to or collected by the Duke. The audio presentations bring it all to life. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff too. Well worth a visit!
M. P.Lovely place, beautiful room and amazing collection of art, with Old Masters paintings
R. L.The guides were absolutely great full of very knowledgeable detail regarding the historical content, details pertaining to all aspects of education on the lineage. I will definitely be visiting again when the main house open to the public
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A. S.Just been there using my English heritage membership. The place is beautiful and has some great paintings. Friendly and welcoming staff but like to highlight one of them Victoria, who was professional,respectfull and has a great history knowledge. She kindly told us a few very interested history knowledge. Thank you Victoria! Overall the Apsley House is lovely and worth to visit anytime!
J. G.I've lived in London for most of my life and am 60 years old. Last week was my first visit! It's a wonderful place and the late home of the Duke of Wellington; of Waterloo fame. It's full of regency style, wonderful paintings, table tut and other strange dinning stuff. Just standing in the lobby filled me with imaginings of the remarkable people who must have also stood there to give over and receive their outdoor wear as well as the sounds of carriage wheels drawing up to the front door... I could almost hear the neighing of horses. Truly a glistening gem 💎 as the centre stone of Hyde park corner. Jamie 🍍
M. M.This is first and foremost an art gallery with displays of some very fine paintings by artists like Ruben's, Velasquez and Titian. The House is a celebration of the Duke of Wellington and a lifetime of fame following his defeat of Napolean at Waterloo.
I had just come from Kensington Palace where there is no restriction on photography so was a bit disappointed that no photographs are allowed inside. I think this is to boost sales of their illustrated guide book.
Very good free multimedia guide provided without headset. I like the way it had 3 different levels of tours, a general one, children's tour and art lovers tour. I recommend the last one if you want to learn more about the beautiful paintings, many brought over from Spain.
There is also a fine porcelain collection mostly made up of ornate plates in the last room, given in gratitude by foreign states for Wellington's success at Waterloo.
B. L.Stumbled upon this place while walking to Kensington Garden. It is Lord Wellington's home and has an absolutely amazing art collection and beautiful architecture. And the staff was so friendly and informative. Definitely something you will want to add to your London itinerary.
S. K.Well preserved with some interesting pieces and artwork. Staff friendly. Very quiet when we visited. Felt more could be done to bring the great Wellingtons life to prominence. This is a house that is worth visiting if you have an interest in him or the period or are an art lover. Otherwise not a great deal to see. Hope they add more flavour.
F. H.Staff is super kind and willing to help or give interesting facts.
Only had one staff member being rude and unwelcoming but she was probably just having a bad day.
A nice, petit experience for a rainy day.
N. A.Beautifully maintained and managed piece of British history. London home of the saviour of Europe - the Duke of Wellington. Displays and rooms are breathtaking. Book in advance and use the audio tour.
T. S. R.It’s a nice museum, with a large quantity of paintings. The staff is very friendly, but the visit was slightly unpleasant due to the fact that it is forbidden to photograph anything in the house. What a shame!
D. B.Very interesting building because of it's historical significance with Spanish "Loot" paintings. Would have been improved by narrative of the Duke's life alongside exhibits.
S.I love visiting Apsley House and I was pleased that my daughter enjoyed her visit today. The audio guide was very informative and I recommend taking it when visiting. My daughter did the treasure hunt and learnt quite a lot from visit. I learn something new at each visit. I would recommend visiting if in London.
L. C.Gorgeous home with innumerable pieces of art. Simply lovely
I. Y.Apsley House exceeded my expectations. The house is the London Residence of the Duke of Wellington, greatly extended by the Duke and displays much of the exquisite art collection of the first Duke. The best of it is the Spanish Royal Collection, which Wellington liberated from the retreating French after the Battle of Vitoria. If you really enjoy Low Countries 15th and 16th century paintings, as I do, then you will burst with excitement. It is also a stunning example of Georgian Architecture and décor. The free audio guide is outstanding as it gives the option of a general guide (which I adopted) or a special art lover mode. I plan to make a return trip, this time listening to the art lover version.
b. p. 2.This house is a great insight into a completely different era of London. The ducal home of Arthur Wellesley remains a fascinating home filled with silver and gold ornaments. I was taken aback to find a range of works by Velazquez and Carvaggio! This hidden gem on Hyde Park Corner is well worth a visit if you're a Londoner!
A. U.A rare occasion to gave access to the central london monumental build. It's a historical national treasure. With such grandeur and opulence. You must visit @remnantsrita
J. R.Amazing place. The paintings are World class. Beautifully out of the beaten path in London.
G. L.I visited the home of the Duke of Wellington in London and I have to say the house and staff are extremely brilliant.
Both Martin and Aurora, (English Heritage staff) were really helpful and were able to tell so much knowledge about the history of the Duke and his life.
There’s no inside images on this review as photography isn’t permitted 😐
L. M.What a fantastic place to learn about history. Very well organised. It is child friendly as they have child version of the guided tour.
T. P.I didn’t realise this was the Duke of Wellington‘s house
It looks amazing inside
A. C.Home of Duke of Wellington. A lot of history on the battle of Waterloo, and lots of treasures and information. Free audio guide once inside. You can spend up to two hours inside. For non English heritage members you can buy a combo ticket which allows you to visit here and the Wellington Arch which is good value
P. R.Wellington's home is great. Lots of interesting paintings, sword and other pieces. Rooms were decorated to impress the kings and other important people who dined there.
J. S.I think it’s one of the beautiful historic houses in London. Very beautiful & very grand! Worth a visit.
G. H.Interesting house and displays. I felt the multimedia guide could have had more info.
B. K.Good experience. Not allowed to take pictures unfortunately. One-way system due to covid. Toilet available in basement for customers only. Visit by appointment only. Lots of historic portraits painting ornaments chandeliers,vases, swords and Museum to view. Nearest tube station is Hyde Park Corner.
D. P.Brilliant and full of paintings and memorabilia of Waterloo and the period. The rooms are pretty much as they were at the time of Wellington.
P. H.Interesting gallery of paintings and portraits collect by Lord Wellington, detailing his life, military successes over Napoleon, his allies and his interests in paintings in paintings of everyday life.
Tip: Buy a joint ticket for Apsley House and Wellington Arch.
D. &. K. A.Excellent place we'll presented. It shows how important Wellington was to the whole of Europe (except France perhaps).
F. A. M.House of the 1st Duke of Wellington. I was surprised to see how royal life was!!! From the celling to the floor, touch of magnificence
U. D.Great place to visit, great for art lovers.
However cost little higher at least when no photography is allowed inside.
C.As usual I went to visit with my 10 year old sister.
Me- I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and gifts that were given to Wellington. We were offered free audio to learn more. It is a one time trip as I wouldn't go again but I'm happy i went.
Sis-it was interesting but the plates back then were too small, they should have had bigger plates. The rooms were so big, I could of lived in just one room.
Hope this helps
C. B.It was the London house of The Duke Of Wellington .Mostly paintings and huge gold and silver regimental tableware given to him by the grateful European countries who aligned against Napoleon. No photos allowed
Z. R.Apsley House is excellent, it has an amazing collection of art inside, it’s very beautiful.
You get an audio guide to use, they don’t give you headphones so if you have them you can bring headphones with a jack.
d. c.We were walking into town and happened across the first open day after extensive refurb - what a place! Worth the entrance fee several times over...
J. G.Beautiful house, really interesting. Must use the audio guides as lots of info.
I. N.Fantastic house!
The staff are very welcoming and friendly and keen to share information about the house. The audio guide is pretty good and provides different levels of information based on your interests. The house itself contains many interesting objects, rooms, and paintings that are explained with a good level of detail.
You don’t feel like you have to spend the whole day here to enjoy the house since you can see most things in an hour or so. Or you can spend longer and get more detail about the things you are interested in.
Thoroughly recommend a visit to Number 1 London.
J. D. M.In these strange times, on the corner of a busy thoroughfare on the corner of hyde park this place is a haven.
Embrace the thought that the old duke has invited you over and explore the decadent, ambient rooms at your leisure.
Beware. No photography. So just swim in the history okay?
J. S.Interesting place friendly staff great head set tour well done and learnt lots high recommended
B. D.Interesting audio guide. Impressive interiors. It was interesting to be in a house at that location.
I. O.Amazing house full of beautiful paintings, silverware and artefacts.
J. C.A fantastic museum with a great history which is well worth a good couple of hours diversion. Pick up an audio guide and indulge yourself in the history of the Battle of Waterloo and Wellington's life, it is well worth it!
A. F.A beautiful house, full of history. Great audio guide
h. s.What a wonderful building full of history and of course Wellington's life. It was interesting for us adults but I wouldn't take children. I was expecting to see it as a house, so seeing the kitchen, servants quarters etc not as a museum but that's just my ignorance. Great visit
S. R.A very interesting historical building. I used one of guided tour handsets, which at first I found a bit annoying, but it quickly became informative and useful. The handset also has a kids mode, which my son enjoyed. However, in the one of the rooms he had to find a picture which in the end turned out was no longer hanging.
r. j. r.Fantastic building full of history. Great
for kids and adults. Knowledgeable
friendly staff.
M. M.I never heard about this museum before but when I did I wanted to make a visit. I love museums and specially those where you can visit old houses with beautiful architecture. Apsley House was everything I was looking for and more! The place is so beautiful and the story of it interesting too. I love the fact that the audio guide was free. It was really interesting! I was just a bit sad that we couldn't take pictures but it's okay.
C. S.Highly underrated. One of the best museums in London. Wonderfully curated, includes a free audio guide. Well kept and brilliant value for money. If you're interested in historical homes, architecture, art, etc. this is far better than Kensington Palace. I wouldn't bother with the Duke of Wellington Arch, not for the view anyway.
P. R.Brilliant! The architecture of this beautiful house with its Robert Adam ceilings and freizes are really lovely. The paintings are well worth spending time with especially as
the radio commentary gives such in depth descriptions. I would definitely recommend you go.
M. D.Excellent! I went with my mother and my 9 and 7 year old daughters. We were all given the interactive guide which also had special activities for children to follow around the house, explanation of the most important paintings and objects, treasure hunting and other activities which kept children entertained. There were very friendly guides and we even had a little talk about Napoleon and Josephine which was very interesting and unexpected. We really enjoyed the visit! Highly recommended.
B. M.Absolutely beautiful and worth the visit. That picture gallery is priceless, an incredible Tiziano, Velázquez, Goya, Reynolds ... Seriously go see it!
R. A.Historic building, former home of the Duke of Wellington. Fantastic collection of paintings from Dutch and Spanish masters
M. M. (. ر. م. ج.Absolutely it is all about amazing valuable paints
A. R.If you love history and art and if you want to learn about the Duke of Wellington, Battle of Waterloo, this is the place to go. Shame we couldn’t take pictures inside. It was beautiful. Definitely recommend
M. W.An oasis of calm and beauty in central London. Fabulous paintings in a magnificent setting. Highly recommended.
M. S.The house is of historical significance and contains a magnificent art collection, much of it a generous gift from the King of Spain, whom Wellington was helping restore to his throne. Although still part occupied by the family and having friendly staff, it does have a feel for the old fashioned sort of museum. No photos, no sense of a house still lived in, missing those small touches the NT does so well.
C. R.Perhaps the most expansive and dramatic house open to the public (free!) in London and certainly in the most amazing location. Chock full of exhibits of the collected artifacts, art and thousands of amazing household items from the life of the Duke of Wellington, who lived there in the prime of his life. A must see when in London!
M. L.Visited with my husband and we both enjoyed the museum so much! Absolutely beautiful house! A lot has been said by previous reviewers, but I just wanted to add - don't hesitate to talk to curators - they are very knowledgeable and are very happy to answer your questions. Thank you!
V. F.Nice historical place for a short visit (took us just over 1 hour). They have free audio guide (which sadly I discovered after the tour).
Two hiccups: we had taken our DSLR camera only to discover that we cannot take photograph in the house; So I put the camera back in by backpack and I was asked to carry it in front of me or hand carry it. Hand carrying a bag, especially with the unnecessary weight of the DSLR camera is not fun, just wish the bag and camera thing would have been stated more clearly on their website.
But if you plan properly, it’s worth the visit!
C. M.Apsley House is a gem hidden in plain sight.
How many people travel around Hyde Park Corner and not even realise what is there?
The house is the London Residence of the Duke of Wellington and displays about half of the art collection of the first Duke of Wellington.
It is a stunning example of Georgian Architecture and decor and most worth of a visit.
We were lucky to arrive just as a talk was about to start which gave a history of some of the art and how it was collected which made the visit even more worth while.
Make sure that you make use of the free audio guide to make the most of your visit and if you are an art lover there are special commentaries on the audio guide giving more details on the art collection.
Apsley House is not open every day so be sure to check the English Heritage website for which days it is open.
C. T.Fantastic! We really enjoyed our visit. I went with my husband and our 8 year old nephew. We were all kept interested. The interactive headset guide helped with this as it is has various functions according to age and interest. Wonderful things on display. We were lucky that there was a short talk being given at the time of our visit which was very interesting and informal with questions encouraged by a very friendly guide. Also lucky that we got a Birdseye view of the rehearsal for the trooping of the colour! The staff spotted this and with no hesitation interrupted the talk and ushered the assembled visitors to the windows so we didn't miss out. The staff clearly love what they do and are very friendly and welcoming.
I. M.To visit Wellington home 🏡 very interesting place. To see all the paintings he collected. All the impress gifts Wellington was given from different countries. The talk the gentleman gave us at the end, gave us an insight into Wellington life more.
B. P.We were really impressed with this place having driven past it for years and never having been inside. The Duke of Wellies was a big art buff and I feel his desire to fill every inch of wall with a painting. Sometimes more is more. Lots of great Napoleon pics and sculptures. I feel I need an arch-enemy now to collect pictures and sculptures of. And the icing on the cake is the exhibition downstairs about the lives of the servants downstairs. There are recorded tours for families with kids, lovers of architecture and art lovers. I might go back a couple more times and do the other two tours. Great place.
B. W.Really great place to visit to see lots of the Duke of Wellington's history. The audio guide is really good as it talks you through all the rooms. Great paintings and lots of fantastic history
P. V.Fantastic historical artifacts from Wellington's time. Sumptuous dining room and entertainment rooms for his many guests. Superb porcelain and art from European rulers thanking Wellington for defeating Napoleon.
S. T.As an military history lover I have always loved to learn about the grand old duke of Wellington Napoleon's conquerer. Apsley house is his post Waterloo London home and it does not disappoint! It's absolutely exquisite and definitely worth seeing! Art lovers will be in heaven! The guide book is really good and worth the 4 pounds. It also has one of the best audio guides I have ever seen.
J.Was a little sceptical about this place but we had to visit to get our money’s worth from purchasing the Overseas Tourist Pass. But it’s well worth the visit! Staff were very nice and made sure we knew how to operate the audio guide before exploring the house. Everything was very organised as well. There was another guide that explained one of the rooms in detail and was very engaging. This is a very educational place to learn about the history of the Duke of Wellington.
R. B. -. E. k.Visited in 2015 when I had my membership pass (which I am going to renew)
A nice house with some really interesting and beautiful things.
Has a fantastic art collection with some really fine silver and porcelain.
This was a Georgian house which the Duke of Wellington lived in.
Of course the address is totally exclusive being "Number One - London"
There is also the "Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington" just over the road so this is all quite poignant. I am not great on stately homes as there is so much to take in, try and absorb.
So my final note for this review is "You have to see it - to believe it"
Recommended but spend time there.
S. H.Had a lovely visit to Apsley House today. Did the audio tour. Lovely warm and friendly house. Lovely furniture and paintings. Well worth a visit. Went to Wellingtons Arch as well over the road. Good exhibition.
g.Nice to see the Duke of Wellington's house. Every room hung with 18 th. Century paintings and a dining room set out as it would have been for one of the Duke's banquets. No café, but right on Hyde park which does have cafes. English Heritage entry charge.
P. A.Learning about the Duke of Wellington through his house and collections of rather grandiose things. Well organised museum and some really impressive pieces. Worth the £11.75 for an adult
M. I.Interesting place to see the life of Wellington and his fascination with all things French with many pictures of Napoleon on the walls. Great audio guide also with lots of information so would recommend you use that if offered.
A. S.It was okay. Too humid/hot inside - poor ventilation and nothing out of ordinary. Gave me anxiety to be honest; the heat.
While the staff is polite, they may need better training.
As an English Heritage member, my entry is free - this was confirmed by the front desk person who checked my membership. But the guard asks me a few minutes later, "did you pay already?" I'll give him benefit of the doubt but did all the other white people touring the house "pay already" too? Come on... Not a good way to be suspicious of your patrons like that: maybe give them a visible wristband as 'proof of ticket'. I rolled my eyes at that question.
My favorite part of the experience was buying a little souvenir, a brooch :D
P. R.The best English Heritage establishment in central London. Jam packed with the Duke of Wellingtons tableware etc. Much of which were gifts from grateful nations after the defeat of Napoleon. Including an amazing massive table ornament from Portugal. Well worth a visit. Marble Arch over the road is also EH.
M. G.Beautiful house!! Unfortunate that they didn't allow to click pictures inside. Beautiful interiors & art collection.
r. j.You wouldn't know it was there...beautifully presented house and artifacts regarding the life and times of the Duke of Wellington. All major battles explained and staff on hand for any questions you may have. Extremely informative.
M. C.Obviously packed full of items associated with the Duke of Wellington. Everywhere there is information. The staff are very helpful too. Beautiful selection of paintings by the Masters
G. H.Apsley House, the London home of the Duke of Wellington is filled with hundreds of paintings and silverware given by grateful heads of European states for his victories against Napoleon. One great thing is that there are several seats to use to study everything. Although there are toilets there is no cafe otherwise this would be 5 staars.
A. C.Visited the house yesterday with family and it was one of the best we ever had. Not necessarily because of the sumptuous interiors or the incredible collection of paintings (Rubens, Velasquez and many other famous painters) or table services - all received as gifts by the Duke following the victory at Waterloo, but because of the incredible amount of facts we learned from the 2 guides we met and talked to during our visit. Well done guys, keep doing what you doing!
N. H.Number 1, London; what can be more of an address than that! A grand Georgian building home to the first Duke of Wellington and containing many many paintings of the Duke, his contemporaries and historical figures. Quite a wonderful collection of historical silver too. Well worth a visit.
A. J.Surprising range of art. The Duke had very good taste. The audio guide is a useful and interesting addition to the experience. The room guides are knowledgeable and friendly and willing to answer questions. Well worth a visit.
A. S.A lot more impressive than it looks from the outside! A beautifully preserved home, lovers of painting, furniture and cutlery and the Duke Of Wellington himself will surely have an great time there :)
D. C.An excellent and genuinely accessible historical stately home. Although surrounded by Central London's roads, only a little imagination is needed to visualise the house a little over 100 years ago - particularly when the traffic lights stop all the vehicles for a few seconds and you get a strange silence from the streets. Some interesting art and artefacts on display and rich architecture of the period.
L. P.Good to combine a visit here with Wellington Arch too. There's an audio guide which is a bit 'dry' yet quite informative, but I recommend speaking to the gallery staff as then discovered the secret windows, hidden doors and other wonders. It's a shame there's not more in the shop - it's mostly books - but I still spent over an hour exploring inside.
E. D.Small but the home of the Duke of Wellington, worth a visit if you're interested.
B. S.No photos allowed, so you'll want to buy the £5 guidebook as a souvenir. Best thing I saw in London this trip. There are 3 audioguides available, included with admission: general, art lover, & children.
S. M.A largely uncritical view onto the life of the Duke of Wellington. Most of the paintings are either portraits in military regalia or battles. The basement gallery gives insight into his earlier career in India, where he was a key contributor to Britain's colonial expansion and repression. Hints of the wealth, power, and nepotism of the British ruling class at that time. Some beautiful objects, such as the Prussian porcelain given him by grateful German aristocrats.
No photography allowed.
R. T.The house of the Dukes of Wellington (the current one still lives there). Taking an audio guide is highly recommended and don't miss out on the talks as they'll give you interesting insights. Staff is lovely and very helpful.
L. J. R.The artworks inside justified the visit itself. Mayor paintings and sculptures by some of the best European artists.
M. W.Also known as "No.1, London", the former home of The Duke of Wellington is a fantastic mix of museum and time capsule. There's no café and photography is forbidden but the staff are friendly and helpful. A visit is a welcome respite from the traffic of the adjacent Hyde Park Corner.
B.Such a good historic home! No grounds outside sadly but excellent collection of art and antiques and a really interesting history laid out in an audio guide they provide. Definitely worth a visit
A. A. A.Wonderful place with beautiful interiors, paintings and exhibits more than 100 years old. The house is actually a mini Palace and has nicely decorated rooms rich in colors and huge paintings.
C. M.Not one of the major attractions but worth a visit. Some good art and impressive interiors - as you would expect. Worth doing some homework in advance. Probably not one for the kids...
H. R.Interesting insight into the private life of the Duke of Wellington.
M. B.I was in Apsley House thanks to an event organised by English Heritage. Unfortunately I couldn't visit the house but I was quite impressed by the paintings in the reception room by the main entrance and the rooms upstairs. I saw two of them nicely decorated and full of remarkable paintings. I recognised few paintings from Velazquez. Looking forward to go back and visit thee house.
A. W.As a quasi historian on Napoleonic history, I was absolutely stunned by Apsley House when I visited it last Saturday. Located right by Hyde Park Corner underground station, you can easily get there. It is also not far from Buckingham Palace. You can walk from there as well.
It is managed by English Heritage. So you will receive a audio guide after you pay for the ticket. I listened to all the commentaries when I was there and spent about 2 hrs. The ground floor contains the Duke's weapon and plate collections. When Napoleon escaped from Waterloo, he left his sword that he planned to use after his victory in the wagon. Now this very sword is here.
The first floor (the second level) is the Duke's gallery, It is absolutely amazing. I've never seen a larger personal gallery like this before. If you study Napoleonic history, you probably can find most paintings from your books here.
There's a small gallery in the basement as well.
Great place. No photo inside the museum though.
T. H.We visited over the weekend. The whole tour using the audio guide took about 60-90 mins. The house belonged to the Duke of Wellington and has many of his personal memorabilia. We found it very well worth the visit.
Q. K.My first visit to Apsley house was made very special by the fact that it was the anniversary weekend of the battle of Waterloo. There was a series of talks by experts on the history of Napoleon, Josephine, Wellington and the battle. Members of the re-enactment society were dressed up in uniforms from the era. I learned so much about that shockingly brutal and decisive battle. At other times of year, it would still be interesting to visit, though the audio guide is more aimed at children.
K. 1.Amazing place to visit in London. The address is Number 1 London.... says it all - Apsley House is the London townhouse of the Dukes of Wellington. It stands alone at Hyde Park Corner, on the south-east corner of Hyde Park, facing south towards the busy traffic roundabout in the centre of which stands the Wellington Arch. It is a Grade I listed building.
R. L.The collection on display is simply delightful. Spend a good half a day here learning about Arthur Welsley & thr battle of Waterloo. Although we had audio guides the staff did a 15 min talk which was an eye opener. They put all the pieces together which then made so much sense. Worth every penny.
P. H.We visited today and took the audio guide tour which was very informative. I'm no history buff but feel I learned a lot about this very interesting Prime Minister. There are not many rooms for access but what you do have access too can easily fill 90-120 minutes which for us is about right. Not somewhere you'd take children.
S. P.Amazing collection of art. I was looking at a painting, thinking 'that looks like a Caravaggio'. Looked at the label and it actually was a Caravaggio. Also an incredible sculpture of Napoleon, which the Duke bought just to troll him. Well worth a visit.
C. U.This Georgian building was the London home of the first Duke of Wellington and has changed very little since his great victory at Waterloo in 1815. Revel in one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens, as well as a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain.
N. K.The free audio tour made it a very interesting visit. There is a huge amount of info with 2 different tours: history or art. Only downside is that you can't take photos
A. I. Z.I had a really nice time there and I enjoyed audio tour. The house is ful of art and history. It is worth of seeing. There is no cafe or toilet.
A. H.Really enjoyed the house tour.
E. B.The home of the Duke of Winchester is interesting if you care about the gifts he received for conquering Napoleon at Waterloo. If you don't want to see an 11 foot naked statue of Napoleon, then this particular piece of tourism is not for you.
R. S.A must on a visit to London! Amazing guide whose wealth of knowledge and fascinating information had us spellbound!
P. S.Home, with many treasures and amazing art collection of the Wellington. Of course, the name of Portugal is mentioned with a gilt tableware service and also can see the Vimeiro battle engraved on the beautiful shield.
A. M.Stunning and unique but, and a big but, I gave up with the audio guide because I found it distracted me. You tend to concentrate on the headphones, possibly missing on the beauty of the place.
Maybe it's me!
Nonetheless, highly recommended. Only open Sat and Sun during the winter. Check website first.
s. 2. (.Lovely place to be it's a bit expensive but otherwise wonderful and delightful staff that can help you all the time if you need to sit down mobile is available sadly you cannot take any photos from inside they're very rare are the place is beautiful and clean throughout there is a lift that you can go down the basement and as well as the first floor also the Give You audio to listen to 2 throughout the place which makes it a lot easier and telling you photos as well.
E. E.I found the new audio-guide quite annoying. The touch screen was very 'unresponsive' and slow to react, the splitting up into Highlights, Family and Art forced me to switch from one to the other on the screen to get all the bits that were of interest to me. The worst bit was at the end of my tour. I was asked by the gentleman at the entrance how I found the experience, and I voiced my opinion only to be told that maybe I would be more at ease with knitting and crocheting rather than using modern technology. How patronising!
The house itself and its history is as fascinating as ever, but it appears that progress is not always progress. The old audio guide was much better in my opinion.
N. S.Got free tickets ,great history and amazing display at end wow 👏
E. Y.Wonderful for history buffs, whether Waterloo aficionados or readers of regency romances. I agree with the reviewer who said there should be a better catalog, so you could get information on any object, not just one or two per room. But even so, there is a lot to enjoy aesthetically and also in terms of human interest. For example, Napoleon hated the Canova statue, which depicted him as a naked Hercules, and made his actual average height look short and squat by comparison. The moment he saw it, Napoleon banished it to the basement of the Louvre. So of course, what object does Wellington make sure to bring home and feature in his main stairwell? Seemingly nice but profoundly insulting. And so on. Really, go!
A. Ó. h.The tour of Apsley House details how field marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington rose to prominence as a general during the Peninsular campaign of the Napoleonic Wars and how he went on, together with a Prussian Army under Blücher, defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. It is the perfect destination if you've an couple of hours to pass in London.
O.The little table they give you for the audio tour is neat and the house is full of interesting artifacts. If you have kids the tablet has games for them to play while doing the tour. Not gonna lie, I played the games too...
S. B.Amazing visit. As a French person it was very interesting to see the English version of the Waterloo battle. It is a pity that it is not allowed to take pictures.
W. R.Nice, but not that big. There are nine rooms to view with beautiful art and furniture, which takes about an hour if you listen to all the spoken information on the audio guide.
N. R.Grandiose, packed full of history, well preserved and presented with talks or audio visual guides this is a slice of history and art to entertain, amaze ,and imagine.... and the art is beautiful and you can get up and close to admire!
E. M.Supremely underrated museum/residence in London. Former home of the Duke of Wellington it has tons of artifacts from his age not only from him but also Napoleon.
B. P.Opulent house that is part museum to The Duke of Wellington and part art gallery. Less than £10. There are multimedia guides on offer plus talks from staff at certain times.
J. H.The residence of the Duke of Wellington. Surprisingly grand and lavish interiors and some interesting artworks. There's a combined entrance ticket available which also gives access to the Wellington Arch for only a couple of pounds more.
A. S.Apsley house was the London home of the Duke of Wellington and well worth a visit. The free audio guide give one details of each room on the tour.
S. F.The mind-boggling Portuguese silver centerpiece alone is worth the price of admission. Apsley House may be the London landmark you pass by the most times before it occurs to you to step inside. You won't be disappointed; it's full of fascinating artefacts about the Duke of Wellington, man and myth. Free with English Heritage membership.
r. b.It is full of wellington's stuff and the narrative focuses largely on it. There is little feel for the man after india and nothing post-waterloo except the dinner parties. But still a fascinating visit.
C. P.Beautiful house and contents and friendly staff
A. L.Magnificent house and plenty of information about Duke of Wellington. Must go if you're interested in British history.
K. D.Great art gallery but not so much a history of life in the house
N. P.Interesting and covid aware. Knowledgeable guides but no chairs to rest on sadly. A lot of older or disabled people would probably like this place.
T. S.Wonderful museum with an excellent audio guide. Perfect for history buffs and Wellington fans. More suited for adults.
G. M.Worth going atleast once. Fantastic selection of artwork.
Recommend visiting the V&A after to see Tipu's tiger and other antiquities from campaigns referenced here.
B. S.Great museum that contains some fantastic artifacts. Excellent audio guide. A great stop on any trip to London.
M. J. C.Really good. The audio visual guide (aka an iPod) is complementary and brings the house alive. Pop over the road to the Wellington Arch before or after to complete the Wellington information.
P. G.Amazing house with beautiful historical paintings and great decorations
B. D.Wellington, Wellington, Wellington. But also some amazing artefacts including some wonderful paintings and exquisite ceramics. Helpful audio guide included.
D. S.A beautiful place to visit. The gifts showered on Wellington after Waterloo are amazing, as is the house itself.
D. T.Very interesting place to visit both from a European and British history perspective, and also just to see the art on display
A. S.Total hidden gem. You'll see and learn substantially more here than at Kensington or other well trodden places. Don't miss this lavish house museum.
J. M.A huge collection of paintings with a very informative accompanying audio guide. As well as very approachable and knowledgeable staff.
D. B.Fascinating collection of artifacts from the life of the first Duke of Wellington. But nothing to show how he became so wealthy on an Army officer's salary.
F. T.A bit snooty and pokey. When the aristocracy are skint they convert their homes into tourist attractions. This place wreaks of colonial avarice! Fascinating and nauseating
M. T.Well worth a visit and very helpful and informative guides.
A. V.Beautiful house full of history and Napoleonic memorabilia collected by the Duke of Wellington who seems to have developed an obsession with his archenemy.
R. A.Great history about the Duke of Wellington. Easy stroll from room to room with audio guidance and seating in some rooms.
J. V.Wellington House! Very interesting house and a great audioguide!
D. M.Wasn't sure about visiting Apsley House but it was well worth the effort. Fascinating to see how the Duke of Wellington lived all those years ago.
b. s.Worth while a visit recommended for all ages
M. M.Lovely house with lots of paintings on display and informative guide giving the story of Wellington and the Battle of Waterloo.
M. N.Excellent small exhibition on the young Wellington in India and a chance to view the house itself again after a few years
A. F.Very beautiful with a lot of interesting things to see. Staff was super nice & the audio tour was free as well.
R. S.Strolling among and along history. A must see place in London. The Napoleon statue and the dining room are really very fascinating.
L. B.Fantastic museum. So much to see and read about Wellington. The painting collection is amazing.
A. S.Interesting memorial to the life and death of Napoléon and his arch-enemy, the Duke of Wellington. The audio guide is really well done
G.An excellent museum to an important British figure. A must for anyone interested in military history.
A. S.Smaller exhibition than usual due to Covid. With limited numbers found it very easy to see exhibits.
I. B.Great venue. Very good quality tour
J. F.A stunning location to rival the palace.
R. M. C.Well worth a visit, but also include the Wellington Monument, which is equally impressive.
C. M.English history at it's best.
Very interesting and informative about one of England's greatest statesment
T. R.Well worth a visit: An audio tour is included, making the whole visit much more interesting and you can select the level of detail presented.
W. S.It was lovely and one lovely will do.
K. M.Great smaller museum with a beautiful gallery room. Also amazing silver setting for the dining room.
A. Š.It's a beautiful place, the interiors are breathtaking. The only negative thing was that you're not allowed to take pictures.
j. w.Unique experience. Great house. Great art. Great story. If you are reading this, you MUST visit.
M. H.Great place to visit with amazing table settings and paintings. No photos allowed inside.
A. J.Well worth a visit. Some interesting history to be learnt. Very well organised audio tours.
K. C.Their audio guide is amazing, tell all the details of the building & painting. Beautiful house.
J. M.Fantastic collection of paintings including some big hitters. Good for Dutch masters.
M. M.Beautiful little museum!
G. N.Interesting, lots of history to be learnt here. A volunteer, on his first day, was so helpful to a hearing impaired visitor.
B. N.A beautiful walk through history
j. b.London landmark maintains a tenacious presence despite the traffic. Sumptuous interiors and formidable collection.
P.A jewel in the heart of London. If you have any interest in Wellington or the Napoleonic wars this is a must visit.
W. C.A lot of great paintings from the old masters. A rare place to find several works from Velazquez.
F. H.Great house, free with art pass - and in the striped room, even the cctv camera matched the decor!
R. H.This is a really good visit in a place I had never heard of. Supported with good audio guide which is included in entry fee.
S. L. (. N. M.Highly recommended the guide was very informative for all the art collection in the house by Wellington
A. S.Loved every single detail. If you like to know some more history grab the free audio-guide
R. W.Great museum with a lot to see allow two or more hours to see it all.
S. N.Very interesting house and well informed staff.
J. C.Great place to visit. You also get to go up the Wellington Arch.
A good place to go
D. M.Venue amazing, tour guide very knowledgeable, but felt tour was rushed with so much to see.
A. A.Covid-19 precautions were very well organised. A few people sadly ignored it.
J. W.A great place to visit sadly cant take any pictures inside
E. B.Love it. Beautiful
R. G.Fantastic place to visit the staff are all very helpful and so knowledgeable, unfortunately when we visited the lift was out of order, but I am sure that this was only temporary
K. O.Beautiful place. Look out for the amazing Apsley Lates with talented musicians and very interesting themed talks.
P. S.Very good sense of the building as it was in the Duke of Wellington's lifetime now it has been refurbished.
D. B.An unexpected treasure. When your one trick was winning the battle of Waterloo, this house made up for a lifetime of ensuing boredom.
D. S.Mainly paintings, furniture and ceramics. Those expecting Waterloo material or museum pieces will be disappointed
J. D.Recommended by my boss. Really impressive. Try to take a guided tour. Really interesting stories.
L. N.An unexpected treasure house with an excellent audio guide. Be prepared for absence of toilets though.
H. C.Very interesting. Found out new information. Staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful
C. E.Historical gem well worth visiting. A lot more to see inside than I expected.
T. A. (. O.Brilliant, except for the aggressive lady on reception who was determined to sell a guide / membership of English Heritage etc
K.you must visit ... one of the biggest surprises in London ... walking through this house is a wonderful walk in the past
A. K.Wonderful wonderful. Our hero the Duke of Wellington's house. Magnificent!
a. s.I had a wonderful afternoon there so interesting. Well worth a visit.
C. F.Full of fascinating stuff from the Duke of Wellington. Well worth a visit
M. F.Fascinating home of the Duke of Wellington. Well worth a visit.
M. H.Really enjoyable visit and interesting place right in the heart of London. Friendly staff.
S. C.Absolutely stunning....
J. W.Well worth a visit beautiful London house of the Duke of Wellington staff very friendly and knowledgeable
S. P.Great English Heritage property. Loved the audio guide.
K. C.Beautiful house, marvelous interior, very helpful room guides
S. a. S.Amazing treasure, No 1 London, definitely worth a visit.
A. C.The house is with A well organised audio tour and interesting exhibits.
P. S.An interesting small heritage location owned by EH in the centre of London. Recommended.
R. C.Stunning showcase of the
Duke of Wellingtons London Home
Thoroughly recommend a visit
R. W.You will be astounded at the number of opulent gifts the Duke received from around the globe following the defeat of Napoleon
K. W.Brilliant part of our history ,really interesting place, probably not so kind to the common man tho !
m. r.As a heritage member definitely worth a visit staff friendly , lots to see
m. s.Wonderful place to visit. Very helpful and informative staff. Plenty to see and do!
B. H.An amazing collection and insight into Wellington and his life. What a shocking home to actually live in.
C. P.A delighful historical journey into the life of an amazing man his life art and treasures
M. S.Great art and history combined into one visit.
Z. B.Very mesmerising and beautiful place. Good place for learn the history. Loved it
S. Y.The multimedia is great fun and adds to the splendour of artwork and interiors.
P.Wonderful place staff excellent had an amazing stay here for 2 nts in the Beu Room thank you
J. S.Fascinating home of the Duke of Wellington. Amazing art collection.
B. F.Great place! Don't go in there if you are a Napoleon fan!!😀
R. N.Loved it. Such a great piece of history. Great audio guides.
G. H.The shabby outside hides a veritable treasure store that is dazzling.
E. W.Great Wellington day with guides and actors especially etiquette lady 😀
I. E.Amazing. Completely under the tourist radar it felt with so much history
J. S.Great little place, free to get into with an art card.
S. B.Naked Napoleon and other pieces of great art, what's not to love?
c. c.Overlooked destination but worth it very grand and beautiful also you can get a combined ticket with the arch
m. c.Excellent. Great to see the historical world of the Duke of Wellington
T. D.Amazing. Worth going on to see the great artwork. Titian， Caravaggio, valaquez just to name a few.
K. P.Fascinsting view into an aspect of the Duke of Wellington's life.
L. S.Very rich house. It's a shame that is not publicised more. Worth a visit.
S. G.Very lovely historic house to visit.
L. M.Well worth a visit the art on show amazing
N. W.So interesting. Not too many rooms so one does not get overloaded.
O. B.Probably only worth it for the massive Napoleon statue and some funny charicatures of the duke.
M. M.Look at the enormous statue of Napolean in the Stairwell. No photography allowed.
F. H.a lot of history.. fantastic place to visit in London.
P. R.Lots of artwork. Very interesting house.
K. ,.Found by accident but really enjoyed it with audio guide friendly guides too
T. U.Nice house but it wasn't for sale. Why do they even show it?
A. B.Well kept historical house. Worth a visit.
R. S.Very grand house with audio guide included which is very informative
D. C.Mostly a massive art collection in the Duke of Wellington's London pad.
A.Nice portraits and silverware.
E. R.Excellent place to showcase the bravery and history of Britain.
O. S.Very interesting. Reasonably easy to get to. Good day out.
D. R.A forgotten gem of Central London. And don't forget Wellingtons Arch across the road.
A. B.Very interesting. I learnt a lot about Wellington.
B. R.Very interesting museum devoted to the Duke of Wellington
R. N.Military residence with large selection of paintings and silver
J. S.Interesting, not-too-long tours, great exhibition.
C. J. Z.Lovely artwork; the chine services are amazing.
M. E.Enjoyable and interesting. Very helpful, informative staff.
L. G.Excellent and very historic. Well worth the price.
c. g.Superb, fantastic art collection, great curation.
G. B.Wonderful house with an amazing collection and history
C. P.Beautiful historic house with lots of history
B. M.Great art
No selfies allowed!!
A. H.Interesting if you like historical art.
j. w.Really interesting house of 'Wellington's' boots fame
M. M.Fascinating and the family loved the rich history.
P. B.Wonderful insight insight into the Duke of Wellingtons town house
m. t.Beautiful house and well worth a visit
A. D.It has closed when I went to visit it.
I hope it's open next time I go to London!!
V. A.It was nice and all, I don't know what I was expecting to be honest.
R. B.A little bit disappointed that there wasn't many items from India.
C. H.Like going back in time. Lovely knowledgeable staff.
F. B.Visit this with Wellington Arch a perfect outing together.
m. w.Great place if you love history
D. H.Awesome and inspiring, love the Duke, so handsome
M. C.Lovely and full of history! Will come back
A. W.Interesting history of a man that has a significant place in history.
R. G.Audio excellent and staff were very helpful.
N. P. G.Beautiful and complete painting collection
R. N.We like the place and interstate for tourist
J. C.Illuminating and informative.
S. R.Lots of amazing art and history
Χ. Χ.Interesting
D. O.Lovely place to visit in the heart of the capital
A. S.Great place to visit full of history
W. G.A great house- a great art collection!
A. I.Exciting piece of history. Definitely need to visit
A. L.Good intro to life of Duke of Wellington.
D.Great visit. Don't miss it.
D. G.House of Duke of Wellington. Interesting and informative
J. P.More of an art gallery than a home.
M. M.Reminded me of the Wallace collection. Wish it was cheaper)
k. a.Really good collection of art
P. L.I thought this was a bit a average. For Nelson fans only...
N. P.Fantastic collection of paintings
M. N.Enjoyed the visit shall be going back
E. D.Great to see where Wellington lived
E. A.Amazing.No fotos where alloud
M. T.Amazing the duke is the perfect host.
r. 6.Interesting part of British History.
G. F.Brilliant art selection.
D. C.Wonderful Wellington Museum
S. P.Very good
S. W.Fascinating afternoon spent there.
T. C.Wonderful stately home in the middle of London
D. J.A royal house converted to a museum.
D. L.The tour was very interesting.
T. M.Great place for a quick look
P. L.Very interesting!
k. R.Great to visit and good value
N. C.Good place to visit and explore.
J. C.Carol service, wonderful setting
B. T.Really interesting place tucked away by the busy roundabout at the end of Park Lane. The house of the Duke of Wellington who gained fame and fortune after defeating Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. A brilliantly produced free audio guide leads you from room to room describing the collections of gifts given to Wellington from around the world and amazing art collection.
C. B.Very interesting place to visit
J. G.Highly recommend going!
R. A.Helpful staff, beautiful place.
M. B.If you're into art
k. r.Very good place to visit
R. b.Delightful picture and layout
C. S.Lots to see - excellent venue.
N. P.Fantastic house highly recommended
J. C.Excellent piece of History
A. T. H.It's a beautiful place
E. M.Brilliant.....very good
S. L.Beautiful and worth a visit
J.Very informative a privilege
M. W.Provision of audio guides
s. c.Stunning displays
p. k.Mexican embassy London.
S. K.Good collection..
k. c.I want to live in this house.
M. G.Nice building
D. C.Nice view when passing
Y. A.Agreed
c. r.Brilliant
D. w.Ablslout bloody amazing
D. M.Exquisite
K. S.Excellent visit.
J. A.Very good.
P. C.Wonderful
E. T.Beautiful house
I. K.Amazing
G. C.Suprinsingly good
A. N.Stunning
M. F.Super
B. K.Amazing!!!
F.Interesting but not stunning
s. z.Nice place people
ع. ا.Good
k.A bit boring
M. “. L.Beautiful
m.Nice staff
M. C.Breathless...
P. M.Interesting.
C. L.Magnificent
S. E.(Translated) A museum that I have wanted to visit since I came to London, but interestingly, I could not enter for some reason when I went to its door 4-5 times; I was finally able to visit APSLEY HOUSE today.
It is not for nothing that I wanted to visit this museum as much. There is a very rich collection of paintings and busts in the museum. However, the "masterpiece" is unquestionably NAPOLYON AS MARS THE PEACEMAKER, the colossal (3.5 mt) sculpture of Napoleon Bonaparte as the Roman God Mars.
Due to my profession and special interest, I visited dozens of museums and saw thousands of artworks. I have never seen a work of art that I liked so much and that excited me so much! I say it without exaggeration, I couldn't help but look at the statue and for a long time I stood in front of it and watched this masterpiece with admiration.
This sculpture, a masterpiece of modern times, belongs to the famous Italian sculptor ANTONIO CANOVA. Napoleon is a true fan of Canova. For this reason, he insistently wants him to make a sculpture of him. Canova travels from Rome to Paris and makes a bust of Napoleon. With this bust, he returns to Rome and begins this sculpture, which will become one of his most famous works. I think he is also aware that this work, on which he meticulously worked for 4 years between 1803-1806, is different from the others. Because the ordered person is not an ordinary noble or a rich man. Napoleon that made Europe shiver!
Perhaps the secret to this outstanding success that struck me so much is that Canova thought that her client's dissatisfaction could cause serious problems for her. Who knows ...
First of all, it was intended to be exhibited in the Louvre Museum as the first work at the entrance. Thus, this would be the first artifact seen by those entering the museum. However, these plans did not work! When Napoleon saw the statue, he found it "too athletic" and did not like it and did not allow it to be exhibited. It was placed in a place that was not easy to see, probably behind a screen and remained that way for years. After losing the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and withdrawing from the stage of history, all the remains of Napoleon were removed from the public space by the order of Louis XVIII, and his paintings and sculptures were sold and disposed of. During this period, Prince George, the Regent of the King - who would become King to England as George IV in a few years - bought Canova's magnificent statue for 70 thousand francs * and brought it to London.
Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, whose name became a legend in Britain after the Waterloo Victory, had already been collecting Canova's sculptures from time immemorial. He saw this magnificent statue of Napoleon, his great enemy, which he destroyed in Waterloo, in Paris, where he was located after the war, liked it and wanted to buy it. However, he failed to do so. Perhaps, knowing this, Prince George gifted this masterpiece to the National Hero Duke of Wellington in 1817, a year after receiving the statue.
In those years, the Duke lived at Apsley House, which I am visiting today. The statue could fit in a single stairwell of the house in terms of its dimensions. Due to its weight, the floor of the spot where it will be exhibited was strengthened before the statue arrived. This idea must have worked so that the statue has stood in the same spot since 1817.
* 70 thousand francs is making 3 thousand pounds with the money of that period. With this money, 300 horses or 700 cows could be bought in 1817.
Note: It was forbidden to take pictures in the museum. For this reason, although I wanted so much, I could not take photos of this masterpiece. Only the first photo belongs to me. Fortunately, I was able to shoot 1 before I heard the "Yassah fellow" warning. I found the other photos on google.
(Original)
Londra'ya geldiğimden beri ziyaret etmeyi çok istediğim, ancak ilginç bir şekilde 4-5 kere kapısına kadar gittiğimde bir sebepten giremediğim bir müzeyi; APSLEY HOUSE'ı sonunda bugün ziyaret edebildim.
Bu müzeyi gezmeyi kadar istiyor olmam boşuna değilmiş. Müzede çok zengin bir tablo ve büst koleksiyonunun var. Ancak "baş eser" tartışmasız NAPOLYON AS MARS THE PEACEMAKER isimli, Napolyon Bonaparte'ın Roma Tanrısı Mars olarak resmedildiği devasa/colossal boyutlu (3.5 mt) heykel.
Mesleğim ve özel ilgim sebebiyle onlarca müze gezdim, binlerce sanat eseri gördüm. Ben, beni bu kadar heyecanlandıran, bu kadar beğendiğim bir sanat yapıtı bugüne kadar görmedim! Hiç abartısız söylüyorum, heykele bakmaktan kendimi alamadım ve uzunca bir süre boyunca önünde öylece durdum ve hayranlıkla bu şaheseri seyrettim.
Modern zamanların bir şaheseri olan bu heykel ünlü İtalyan heykeltraş ANTONIO CANOVA'ya ait. Napolyon gerçek bir Canova hayranı. Bu sebeple kendisinden bir heykelini yapmasını ısrarla istiyor. Canova bunun için Roma'dan Paris'e gidip Napolyon'un bir büstünü yapıyor. Bu büst ile beraber Roma'ya dönerek en meşhur yapıtlarından birisi olacak bu heykele başlıyor. 1803-1806 yılları arasındaki 4 yıl boyunca üzerinde titizlikle çalıştığı bu eserin diğerlerinden farklı olduğunun sanırım o da farkında. Çünkü siparişi kişi sıradan bir soylu veya zengin değil. Avrupa'yı titreten Napolyon!
Belki de beni çok etkileyen bu üstün başarının sırrı, Canova'nın, müşterisinin memnuniyetsizliğinin kendisi için ciddi sorunlar yaratabileceğini düşünmeş olmasıdır. Kim bilir... 🙂
En başta, heykelin Louvre Müzesi'nde, girişteki ilk eser olarak sergilenmesi düşünülmüş. Böylece müzeye girenlerin ilk gördüğü eser bu olacaktı. Ancak bu planlar tutmadı! Napolyon heykeli gördüğünde "fazla atletik" bulduğu için beğenmemiş ve sergilenmesine izin vermemiş. Kolay görülmeyecek bir yere, galiba bir de paravanın arkasına konmuş ve o şekilde yıllarca kalmış. 1815 yılındaki Waterloo Savaşı'nı kaybederek tarih sahnesinden çekilen Napolyon'un tüm kalıntıları XVIII.Louis'nin emriyle kamusal alandan temizlenince, ona ait tablo ve heykeller de satılarak elden çıkartıldı. Bu süreçte Canova'nın muhteşem heykelini -bir kaç yıl sonra IV.George olarak İngiltere'ye Kral olacak olan- Kral Naibi Prens George 70 Bin frank* bedelle satın alarak Londra'ya getirtti.
Waterloo Zaferi sonrası ismi Britanya'da bir efsaneye dönen Wellington Dükü Sir Arthur Wellesley zaten eskiden beri Canova'nın heykellerini topluyordu. Waterloo'da yok ettiği büyük düşmanı Napolyon'un bu muhteşem heykelini savaş sonrası bulunduğu Paris'te görmüş, çok beğenmiş ve almak istemişti. Ancak bunu başaramamıştı. Belki de bunu bilen Prens George, heykeli aldıktan 1 yıl sonra, 1817'de bu sanat şaheserini Ulusal Kahraman Wellington Dükü'ne hediye etti.
Dük o yıllarda -benim bugün ziyaret ettiğim- Apsley House'ta yaşıyordu. Heykel boyutları itibariyle evin bir tek merdiven boşluğuna sığabildi. Ağırlığı sebebiyle sergileneceği noktanın zemini heykel gelmeden önce güçlendirildi. Bu fikir işe yaramış olmalı ki, heykel 1817 yılında beri aynı noktada sorunsuz bir şekilde duruyor.
*70 bin frank o dönemin parasıyla 3 bin Sterlin yapıyor. Bu parayla 1817 yılında 300 at veya 700 inek alınabiliyordu.
Not: Müzede fotoğraf çekmek yasaktı. O sebeple çok istememe rağmen bu şaheserin fotolarını çekemedim. Sadece ilk foto bana ait. Neyse ki "Yassah hemşerim" uyarısını duyana kadar 1 tane çekebildim. Diğer fotoları google'dan buldum.
G. M.(Translated) Spectacular! Ancient palace, residence of the Duke of Wellington, leader of the army that defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, who made it into a real picture gallery, a home that must have amazed those who went to visit him. On several floors there are valuable paintings and objects, trophies and war awards, luxurious, sumptuous environments .... Audio guides available, no Italian for now but you can make do with Spanish, courteous and helpful staff. It deserves to be visited.
(Original)
Spettacolare! Palazzo antico, residenza del duca di Wellington, condottiero dell'armata che sconfisse Napoleone a Waterloo, che ne ha fatto una vera e propria pinacoteca, un'abitazione che doveva stupire chi gli fosse andato a far visita. Su più piani si trovano pregevoli tele ed oggetti, trofei e riconoscimenti di guerra, ambienti lussuosi, sfarzosi.... Audioguide a disposizione, manca l'italiano per ora ma ci si può arrangiare con lo spagnolo, personale cortese e disponibile. Merita di essere visitato.
Т. С.(Translated) Well what can I say? The personality and military glory of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington overshadow this elegant mansion, which would remain (with all due respect to the architect) an ordinary aristocratic manor, if not for the great man who lived in it. To defeat Napoleon - this is not for you to win in tanks on the computer)
And the museum, of course, is impressive.
(Original)
Ну что тут сказать? Личность и воинская слава Артура Уэлсли, герцога Веллингтона затмевают этот элегантный особняк, который остался бы (при всем уважении к архитектору) рядовой аристократической усадьбой, если бы не великий человек, который в нем жил. Разгромить Наполеона - это вам не в танчики выиграть на компьютере)
А музей, конечно, впечатляющий.
P. S.(Translated) The best of London. Fascinating. You can't take pictures or eat gum. See the Aguador de Sevilla is priceless.
(Original)
De lo mejor de Londres. Fascinante. No se pueden hacer fotos ni comer chicles. Ver el Aguador de Sevilla no tiene precio.
M. D. G.(Translated) A little known jewel sheltering an extraordinary collection of paintings. The audioguide and very useful and allows us to fully understand the history of the place and the collection. A beautiful discovery, away from the crowd
(Original)
Bijou méconnu abritant une extraordinaire collection de tableaux. L'auduoguide et très utile et nous permet de parfaitement appréhender l'histoire du lieu et de la collection. Une belle découverte, à l'abri de la foule
s. r. g.(Translated) The only interesting thing is the Velázquez paintings, perhaps the statue of Napoleon that was covered up when I went...
(Original)
Lo único interesante son los cuadros de Velázquez, quizás la estatua de Napoleón que la tenían tapada cuando fui...
F. C.(Translated) Wonderful museum located in the residence that belonged to the Duke of Wellington and there are numerous works of art, sculptures and objects belonging to him. The entrance ticket costs £ 10.50 for an adult and is free for members of the English heritage. Before the visit, it is better to check the opening days and times because they vary during the year.
(Original)
Stupendo museo ubicato nella residenza che fu del Duca di Wellington e vi sono esposte numerose opere d'arte, sculture ed oggetti a lui appartenuti. Il biglietto d'ingresso costa 10.50£ per un adulto ed è gratuito per i membri dell'english heritage. Prima della visita è meglio verificare giorni ed orari di apertura perché sono variabili nel corso dell'anno.
S. B.(Translated) Absolutely to visit. Place rich in history
(Original)
Assolutamente da visitare. Luogo ricco di storia
D. G.(Translated) Excellent the house of the First Duke of Wellington. Full of stories and art.
(Original)
Excelente la casa del primer duque de Wellington. Llena de Historias y arte.
C. B.(Translated) Recommended if you have several days to visit London or go there often. Very comprehensive and interesting audio guide, unfortunately not in Italian but the one in Spanish makes you understand almost everything. Although it was the Sunday before August 15th, we would have been a maximum of twenty visitors and, in the individual rooms, no more than 5. Listening to the entire audio guide, integrating it with the reading of the brochures in the individual rooms (in English only) and reading all the panels, even those in the basement, very interesting because they concern the servants, it took me 2 hours to visit.
(Original)
Consigliato se si hanno a disposizione molti giorni per visitare Londra o ci si va spesso. Audioguida molto esaustiva ed interessante, purtroppo non in italiano ma quella in spagnolo fa capire quasi tutto. Nonostante fosse la domenica prima di Ferragosto, saremo stati massimo venti visitatori e, nelle singole sale, non più di 5. Ascoltando tutta l'audioguida, integrandola con la lettura dei depliant nelle singole sale (solo in inglese) e leggendo tutti i pannelli, anche quelli nel piano interrato, molto interessanti perché riguardanti la servitù, ho impiegato 2 ore per la visita.
G. B.(Translated) The First Duke of Wellington's house is a must-see if you are interested in the history of Europe and Britain. An exhibition in one of the rooms completes the tour. There is a multilingual audio guide tour and very friendly staff on site. The entrance is a bit back from the street, so it looks "closed", only a small sign indicates the possibility of viewing. Feel free to take a look inside - it's worth it :-)
(Original)
Das Haus des Ersten Herzogs von Wellington sollte man unbedingt gesehen haben, wenn man sich für die Geschichte Europas und Großbritanniens interessiert. Eine Ausstellung in einer der Räume rundet den Rundgang ab. Es gibt eine mehrsprachige Audioguide-Tour und zudem sehr freundliches Personal vor Ort. Der Eingang liegt etwas zurück von der Straße, daher sieht es "geschlossen" aus, nur ein kleines Schild weißt auf die Besichtigungsmöglichkeit hin. Trauen Sie sich ruhig hinein - es lohnt sich :-)
M. M.(Translated) Another gallery of paintings, mainly historical figures related to Wellington. Apart from that, there are also several pictures that need to be seen. The place is located near Wellington's arc, the tour is free with London Passem
(Original)
Kolejna galeria obrazów, głównie postaci historycznych związanych z Wellingtonem. Ale prócz tego znajduje się tam także kilka obrazów, które trzeba zobaczyć. Miejsce znajduje przy łuku Wellingtona, zwiedzanie jest bezpłatne z London Passem
徐.(Translated) The administrator is kind and will joke with you. The paintings in the museum are quite rich. Whether you are a history fan or an art fan, you can gain something here
(Original)
管理員相當親切，還會跟你開點玩笑。館內的畫作相當豐富。不論你是歷史迷或是美術迷，都能在這裡獲得收穫
T. R. G. G.(Translated) It was just the house of Prince Wellington. If you become an English Heritage member, you can watch it many times for free throughout the year. The quality of the paintings, the luxuriousness of the room and the beauty of the room are fair. The dining table set was gorgeous and amazing. It is recommended because it is very beautiful and the storage condition is good.
(Original)
ウェリントン公の家だったところです。イングリッシュヘリテージ会員になると年間を通して無料で何回も見られます。絵画の質の良さ、部屋の豪華さ綺麗さは中々のものです。ダイニングのテーブルセットが豪華で驚きました。とても綺麗で保存状態も良いので、お薦めです。
P. B.(Translated) A Hidden Gem! If you like the historical facts about the fall of Napoleon through Wellington you must have been here. All the Sèvres Porcelain exhibited is also a must for enthusiasts. Not immediately suitable for children.
(Original)
A Hidden Gem ! Als je houdt van de historische feiten over de neergang van Napoleon door Wellington moet je hier geweest zijn. Ook alle het tentoongestelde Sèvres Porcelein is een must voor liefhebbers. Niet direkt geschikt voor kinderen.
A. U.(Translated) A little history. Wellington lived here.
(Original)
Egy kis történelem. Itt élt Wellington.
N. S.(Translated) Interesting story about this family house of the Duke of Wellington. Beautiful and with very valuable objects and paintings.
(Original)
Interesante la historia sobre esta casa de la familia del duque de Wellington. Bonita y con objetos y pinturas muy valiosas.
M. G.(Translated) Small treasure in the center of London to visit. Still inhabited by the descendants of the Duke of Wellington.
(Original)
Petit trésor en plein centre de Londres à visiter. Encore habitée par les descendants du Duc de Wellington.
V. M.(Translated) We discover the tastes of the Duke, a little too fast as a visit, lack of more intimate place like the bedroom. However it is a nice place to discover
(Original)
On decouvre les gouts du Duc , un peu trop rapide comme visite, manque de lieu plus intime comme la chambre à coucher. Cependant c est un joli endroit à decouvrir
Y. O.(Translated) A very interesting mansion, the home of a man who played his life role successfully, talentedly and left his indelible mark on history.
(Original)
Очень интересный особняк, дом человека, который сыграл свою жизненную роль успешно, талантливо и оставил свой неизгладимый след в истории.
M. S.(Translated) Inconspicuous from the outside. Very nicely done from the inside. Unfortunately, as so often, you are not allowed to take pictures.
(Original)
Unscheinbar von außen. Von innen sehr schön gemacht. Leider darf man, wie so oft, nicht fotografieren.
M. M.(Translated) Elegant and very interesting museum, highly recommended
(Original)
Museo elegante e molto interessante, vivamente consigliato
M. F.(Translated) Finally a visit has been made and it has exceeded our expectations. Very happy with the visit.
(Original)
Por fin se ha podido hacer una visita y ha superado nuestras expectativas. Muy contentos con la visita.
C.(Translated) Yes, it is worth watching.
(Original)
不错，值得观赏。
R. “. S.(Translated) Historic home of great charm a dive into the really interesting past
(Original)
Dimora storica dì grande fascino un tuffo nel passato davvero interessante
D. B. (.(Translated) Historic house retracing the life of the famous Duke of Wellington
(Original)
Maison de caractère historique retraçant la vie du célèbre duc de Wellington
A. R.(Translated) An imposing house. Can't take pictures inside
(Original)
Una casa imponente. No puede sacarse fotos de su interior
C. T.(Translated) The collection that the Duke of Wellington swiped at José Napoleón in Vitoria
(Original)
La colección que el Duque de Wellington birló a José Napoleón en Vitoria
D. K.(Translated) Wonderful exhibition and good audio guide.
(Original)
Wunderbare Ausstellung und gute Audioführung.
A. H.(Translated) Very nice with a good audio guide.
(Original)
Sehr schön mit gutem Audio Guide.
B. C.(Translated) Italian audio guide not available
(Original)
Audioguida in italiano non disponibile
M. B. B.(Translated) Very handsome
(Original)
Muy guapo
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