//
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The London residence of the Dukes of Wellington, which now acts as a museum for the inaugural and most famous holder of the title. It boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, medals and swords. Perhaps the most bizarre item in Wellington's collection is a nude statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, commissioned by the emperor himself and bought by the British government following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo as a gift for the duke.
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 towards the large traffic roundabout in the centre of which stands the Wellington Arch. It is a Grade I listed building.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
A neoclassical triumphal arch, designed by Decimus Burton and first erected in 1826 as a grand entrance to Buckingham Palace. In 1846, a massive equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington was placed on top of the arch. a major road widening of Piccadilly in 1882 was the opportunity to finally remove the oversized statue to Aldershot. The present magnificent statue, Peace Descending on the Quadriga of War, was placed on top of the Arch in 1912, and remains the largest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom, spectacularly lit at night. During the 1950s, the arch served as the smallest police station in the city, when it was occupied by ten constables, two sergeants and a cat! The arch was opened to the public for the first time in 2001 after a £1.5 million restoration by English Heritage. Wellington Arch is also available for corporate and private events, with dramatic views down Constitution Hill and across central London from the Arch's spacious balconies.
Retro 1970s decor, a relaxing bar area and comfortable seating combine with a great art-house billing, easily one of the best cinemas in London.
This chapel was built in 1739 to a design that inspired many churches in the northeast United States.
Nicknamed Little America, it was the long-time home of the American Embassy (which in 2018 moved to Nine Elms across the river), and a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Royal Academy no longer has a permanent exhibition space, instead hosting art exhibitions. Notable exhibitions have included the paintings of Monet, contemporary art associated with the theme of apocalypse, and Aztec art. Each Summer, the Royal Academy plays host to a Summer Exhibition, displaying 1,200 new works by established and new artists selected by the academy, most of which are available for visitors to buy. Each member has to donate a work of art, so over the years, the academy has built a sizable collection. Exhibitions are invariably excellent, and it is worth paying for audio guides, if they are not included. Visitors should book tickets in advance, as exhibitions are often very popular – particularly shortly after opening.
Handel House Museum
Home to the baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death in 1759. Some of the greatest classical music ever composed was done so at this address. The museum charts Handel's life and works and offers recitals of music in the magnificent setting of the period rooms. By contrast, next door was home to Jimi Hendrix when he lived in London in 1969, and entry to this top-floor flat is included.