Wellington Arch

#37

A triumphal arch with a life story: built in the 1820s as a royal gateway, rebranded for the Iron Duke, moved whole in the 1880s to ease traffic, then crowned in 1912 with Europe’s largest bronze quadriga. Today you can ride a lift up through its stone core to small galleries and twin balconies over Hyde Park Corner—close-up views of the Angel of Peace landing her chariot and the Household Cavalry on parade routes below. Budget 25–40 minutes; pair with Apsley House across the road.

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Opening Hours

Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00

Friday: 10:00 – 17:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00

What's not to miss inside?

Quadriga Close-Up

Largest bronze quadriga in Europe, at eye level

Adrian Jones’s 1912 chariot—Peace taming War—was cast to read from the street; from here you see tool-marks the traffic never will.

Circle the balcony slowly: watch how the sculpted veins and reins catch light as clouds move.

📍 Top balconies

Moved Monument

London once shifted an arch like furniture

In 1882–83 the whole structure was dismantled and rebuilt a short distance away to unclog Hyde Park Corner—Victorian urbanism with nerve.

Find the historic site plan and trace the arch’s ‘walk’ from its original position by Apsley House.

📍 Intro gallery

From Duke to Angel

Two very different toppers

The first crown was a gigantic equestrian statue of Wellington—loathed by many—removed in the 1880s and sent to Aldershot before the current quadriga arrived.

Compare photos of the two silhouettes; decide which skyline you’d have kept.

📍 History panels, mid-level

Parade Watchpoint

Guards and motorcades pass right below

On Changing-of-the-Guard days, you’re above the route as soldiers, bands and horses thread the arch like a living frieze.

Time your visit to catch a parade, then switch to the north balcony for Green Park views.

📍 South balcony, towards Constitution Hill

Pocket Museum

A monument with rooms inside

English Heritage carved compact galleries into the piers—bite-size shows on the arch, the area and temporary art.

Do a fast scan first, then pick one object label to read slowly—it’ll anchor the whole story.

📍 All levels (lift available)

🤓 Fun Facts

Before 1912, a colossal bronze of the Duke of Wellington sat on top; it was unpopular, then removed and sent to Aldershot when the arch was moved.

From 1960 to 1992 the interior housed the Hyde Park Corner police station—a triumphal arch with a front desk and a kettle.

The current sculpture shows Peace restraining War in a four-horse chariot; sculptor Adrian Jones based details on real cavalry horses from the nearby barracks.

The arch was physically relocated in 1882–83 to improve traffic flow—dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt a short distance away.

On ceremonial days, the Household Cavalry and state processions use the arch like a stage prop—millions see it on TV without realising you can go inside.