Royal Hospital Chelsea  

 

 

ADDRESS

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4SR

 

 

TELEPHONE

020 7881 5200 

 

OPENING TIMES

Mon to Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 2pm-4pm | Closed daily between midday-14:00.

 

PRICES

Adult FREE, Child FREE | There is a charge for tours.

 

Nearby

Hotels, Entertainment, Shopping, Restaurants, Education, Leisure, Pubs, Nightlife, Venue hire  

 

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Built by Sir Christopher Wren 1682-1692, the Grade I-listed Royal Hospital Chelsea was intended by King Charles II to be a home for soldiers who were unfit for further duty because of injury or old age. Hundreds of years on and the 66 acres (27 hectares) site is still home to these Chelsea Pensioners or "The Men in Scarlet", who can be seen in their colourful jackets and triangular hats making their way down the Royal Hospital Road. The Chapel, Great Hall, museum and State Apartments are open to visitors and are of particular interest. The Great Hall, used for dining until the early 19th century, is furnished with sixteen long tables (each one seating 26 members of each Ward); the large mural painting at the far end dates from about 1690 and represents Charles II on horseback surrounded by allegorical figures, with the Royal Hospital buildings in the background. Beautiful grounds are open daily except during Chelsea Flower Show months (May or June) which has been held at the South Grounds since 1913. The National Army Museum and the Chelsea Physic Garden close by are also worth a look.

Royal Hospital Chelsea