Apsley House

Why go

The house is now run by English Heritage and is open to the public as a museum and art gallery, exhibiting 83 paintings from the Spanish royal collection. The house was originally built in red brick by Robert Adam between 1771 and 1778 for Lord Apsley, the Lord Chancellor, who gave the house its name.

What to look for

• The Duke of Wellington decided to return the paintings, which included works from the Spanish royal collection.
• Nine of them are on display at Aspley House (the Russian baton was stolen in the 1960s).
• The practice has been to maintain the rooms as far as possible in the original style and decor.

The full story

The 9th Duke of Wellington retains the use of part of the buildings. Antonio Canova's heroic marble nude of Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker made 1802–10, holding a gilded Nike in the palm of his right hand, and standing 3.45 metres to the raised left hand holding a staff. During the Interregnum newer buildings were erected between what is now Old Regent Street and Hyde Park Corner. In the 1600s after the Restoration they were leased by James Hamilton (died 1673) and renewed by Elizabeth his widow in 1692 on a 99-year lease (Hamilton Place takes its name from that family). Immediately before Apsley House was built the site was occupied by a tavern called the Hercules Pillars (immortalised by Henry Fielding in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling as the location where Squire Western resides when he first journeys up to London).

Useful to know

• Confirm current admission and opening times before leaving.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.