For years, Apsley House was simply known as ‘No 1, London’ – it being the first house of any note encountered when arriving from the west. No other address was needed. These days, its location is more forlorn, one of the busiest traffic roundabouts in London, Hyde Park Corner. It was, famously the London home of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, victor of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and later politician, also known as ‘the Iron Duke’. It was built in the 1770s and the Duke bought it from his brother in 1817. As you would expect, inside are lots of over-decorated grand rooms – but the place is exceptionally packed with treasures, many gifts to Wellington from admirers, grateful rulers and nations. A personal favourite is a set of Wellington’s false teeth in a glass case. The art collection consists of almost 1,000 fine paintings, sculptures and other works. Some of these came from Spain, having first been borrowed from the Spanish by the French. Paintings include masterpieces by Velázquez, Rubens, Goya, Titian and Breughel.
Apsley House is owned and managed by English Heritage on behalf of the nation – however, the current Duke of Wellington still retains half the house for the family’s private use.