Apsley House
Once known as ‘number one London’, Apsley House is situated by Hyde Park Corner in the centre of London . This English stately home and popular London visitor attraction was, at one time, home to the first Duke of Wellington.
Apsley House was built in 1771 for the Baron Apsley. The titel Lord of Apsley was introduced at the same time when he was raised to the Peerage of Great Britain in his own right as Lord Apsley, beeing related to the Earls of Bathurst. He employed the leading architect of the day, Robert Adam, who designed this neo-classical palace on the site of a former lodge in Hyde Park . This location gave rise to its nickname as Number One London, as Apsley House was the first residence after entering the tollgate into London from Hyde Park.
In 1778, Apsley House passed to Richard Wellesley and then to his younger brother Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. The ‘Iron Duke’ as he was known, rose to fame after defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, before entering politics and becoming Prime Minister in 1828. Apsley House remained in the residence of the Dukes of Wellington until the seventh Duke gave the house to the state in 1947, though the family still use the private rooms today.
The Duke of Wellington’s fame and fortune is evidenced in the fabulous collection of artworks that decorate the lavish interiors of Apsley House. Visitors can see important works by Rubens, Goya, Velazquez and Corregio, many of which were gifts to the Duke by European Kings and nobles, grateful for his defeat of Napoleon. Taking centre stage is a statue of Napoleon himself. Sculptured by Canova, this colossal nude piece dominates the ornate staircase at the entrance to the house. While the Duke’s own ornate dinner service sets are also on show, featuring the Serves Egyptian Service commission by Napoleon for his wife, and used by the Duke at an annual banquet hosting the officers that served under him in the Napoleonic Wars.
