Apsley House, Wellington Museum

Revel in the dazzling Regency interiors, glittering treasures and fabulous art collections of the Duke of Wellington's Apsley House. Experienced the Waterloo Gallery and enjoy the new multimedia guides and displays.

Home of the first Duke of Wellington and his descendants and properly known as 'Number One London', Apsley House stands right in the heart of the capital at Hyde Park Corner. It's the last surviving great aristocratic London townhouse open to the public.

Originally designed by Robert Adam the Baron Apsley—From whom it takes his name—it passed to the Wellesley family in 1807, Being first owned by Richard and then his younger brother Arthur Wellesley—the Duke of Wellington.

Wellington is most famous for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the a culmination of a brilliant military career in India, Spain and France. He was also a major politician becoming prime minister in 1828.

Remodelled by Benjamin Wyatt to reflect the Dukes rising status, Apsley House dazzling interiors are magnificent examples of the Regency style. They provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining, particularly the annual Waterloo Banquets Which commemorated the great victory.

Apsley's other highlights include the grandiose State Dining Room, with this breathtaking crystal chandelier and gilt Portuguese tableware service, one of the many treasures presented to Wellington by grateful nations. Among other personal memorabilia you can also see an original pair of the first Duke's false teeth.

Dimensions interior also celebrates many more aspects of the first chips life and work, including is outstanding art collection. Paintings by many famous artists–including Valèzquez, Goya and Breughel—Hang throughout the first floor rooms and a colossal nude statue of Napoleon by Canova dominates the stairwell at the centre of the house, which had to be reinforced debates formidable weight.

Now Apsley also offers new visitor information, a layered multimedia guide and children's multimedia guide, and basement gallery displays.

When the seventh Duke of Wellington gave the house to the nation in 1947, the retained the private rooms, which they still use today. This makes Apsley House the only property managed by English Heritage in which the original owner's family still live.