Museums & events
Discover Napoleonic events at the Iron Duke’s London home, Charles II’S battlefield headquarters and tours around Winston Churchill’s sanctuary
the latest exhibitions and discoveries
WATERLOO AT “NUMBER 1, LONDON” Apsley House is the former home of the Duke of Wellington and is hosting special weekend events to commemorate two of his most famous battles
Located in the heart of central London, Apsley House is a unique survival of an aristocratic townhouse in the capital. It was purchased by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington in 1817 two years after his victory at the Battle of Waterloo. The house became known as “Number 1, London” and still reflects the styles and tastes of the 1820s. The architect Benjamin Dean Wyatt remodelled Apsley for Wellington and it contains important artworks as well as outstanding collections of porcelain and silver. Nevertheless, Apsley House is dominated by the legacy of the “Iron Duke” himself and in June and July it will host events to commemorate the decisive battles of Waterloo and Salamanca.
On the weekend of 15-16 June 2019, the house will focus on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Many items that were personally owned by Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte will be on display as well as real and replica weapons from the period. There will also be costumed re-enactors on hand to recreate life in Wellington’s armies, including soldiers from the 95th Rifles and a Georgian barber-surgeon. Away from Napoleonic warfare, there is an opportunity to learn about Regency etiquette and social niceties within Apsley House.
On the actual anniversary of Waterloo (18 June), the Napoleonic reenactor Stephen Wisdom will play “Captain Abs” and don the costumes of British and French regiments who fought at the battle from 6.308.30pm. His talk will include remarkable tales of bravery, derring-do and daily life from the battlefield.
A “Salamanca Weekend” will follow the Waterloo events on 20-21 July to commemorate Wellington’s most famous victory of the Peninsular War. Fought in Spain in 1812, Salamanca demonstrated the duke’s abilities as a master tactician and sealed his reputation as a general to be compared with Marlborough and Frederick the Great.
To mark the 207th anniversary of the battle, Apsley House will provide the backdrop to a vividly recreated military camp featuring the 68th Light Infantry Re-enactment Society. The Arbeau Dancers will also be teaching Regency dance steps within the house as well as a variety of talks and demonstrations throughout the day.
Apsley House can be found at 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT. The Waterloo and Salamanca weekend events are included with a normal entry ticket while English Heritage members go free. For more information and to book tickets visit: www.wellingtoncollection.co.uk. You can also follow @Apsley House on Twitter, @houseapsley1817 on Instagram and “Apsley House” on Facebook.
WORCESTER’S CIVIL WAR HERITAGE The Commandery is an award-winning museum with a unique military history
Located in the heart of Worcester, the Commandery is a Grade I-listed building that was initially used as a medieval hospital. Its distinctive name possibly derives from the Knights Hospitaller who may have founded the site but its most famous military use came during the British Civil Wars. In September 1651 the building was used as the Royalist headquarters of Charles II during the Battle of Worcester, which was the final engagement of the wars.
The present museum opened in 1977 and for a while it was the only museum in England that was solely dedicated to the British Civil Wars. After a refurbishment in 2007 the Commandery has thrived and it won the Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence in 2018 for “Best Visitor Attraction”. It now has six permanent exhibitions about its history including “Worcester’s Civil War Story”. This is an interactive experience that unearths the city’s divided past and the soldiers who marched hundreds of miles to the battle. Visitors can also test their skills at battlefield strategy and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell.
The Commandery is open everyday between February-december and is family-friendly. As well as the museum there are gardens to explore and an independent café called Commandery Coffee. There are also regular events including talks, live demonstrations and activities. On 20 June 2019 there will be a talk by the Battle of Worcester Society called “Civil War Petitions – Stories of Maimed Soldiers, War Widows and the Human Cost of War”.
INSIDE CHURCHILL’S RETREAT Chartwell, the wartime prime minister’s country home, is holding tours and exhibitions about the Churchill family’s achievements
Located near Westerham, Kent, Chartwell was the home of Winston Churchill for over 40 years from 1922. The estate dated back to the 14th century but Churchill, who described the site as “the most beautiful and charming I have ever seen”, largely extended and rebuilt the property. Chartwell was his refuge throughout his years of political wilderness but he could rarely visit it during his wartime premiership for security reasons.
Churchill returned to Chartwell almost immediately after VE Day and after his death it was bequeathed to the National Trust. Today the rooms remain much as they were when he lived there and contain pictures, books and personal mementoes. The hillside gardens also reflect Churchill’s love of landscape and include lakes that he created along with a playhouse for his daughter.
Chartwell regularly hosts new exhibitions and talks about Churchill’s life and this year there are themed house tours including “Clementine Churchill’ and ‘Leadership and Legacy”. The former discusses the prime minister’s influential wife while the latter showcases Churchill’s most treasured awards, honours and gifts. “Leadership and Legacy” also includes exclusive access to his bedroom.
The National Trust recommends that visitors book at least a day in advance for the tours, as spaces are limited to eight people.
For more information about tours, exhibitions and prices visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk