The Wellington Arch in London is located to the south of Hyde Park. It, along with the Marble Arch to the north of the park, was planned by George IV as memorials to the victories in the Napoleonic Wars.

The Wellington Arch was also known as the Constitution Arch and the Green Park Arch, and was also meant to be a grand outer entrance to Buckingham Palace and central London as a whole.

The Arch was designed by Decimus Burton and built from 1826 to 1830.

Buckingham Palace was also being built at this time and overspending in the construction of the palace led to the Arch being largely unadorned.

A very large equestrian statue of the first Duke of Wellington was installed on the top of the Arch in 1846. It was generally considered to be an eyesore and much public complaint and controversy followed.

A decision was made to remove it, but the Duke threatened to resign if the statue was removed, so in the end the statue remained in place.

Originally the Arch sat near Apsley House, the home of the first Duke of Wellington, but a road widening project moved it to its current location in 1882. At this time, the statue of the Duke was moved to Aldershot, and a new sculpture was planned to take its place.

The new sculpture depicted an angel of peace alighting upon a war chariot drawn by four horses, and was selected by Edward VII. It was completed and installed in 1912.

The Arch is actually hollow and has had many uses over the years.

Until 1992 it was put to use as London’s second smallest police station (the smallest is in Trafalgar Square).

Part of the Arch serves as a ventilation shaft for the London Underground, and at times warm air and dust can be seen puffing out of the structure.

English Heritage took over the structure in 1999, and it is now open to the public. There are balconies that afford great views of the surroundings, and a three-story museum detailing the history of the Wellington Arch in London.

Visiting Wellington Arch

Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Belgravia, W1J 7JZ

Telephone: 020 7930 2726

Opening Times

1 April to 1 November: Wednesday to Sunday (& Bank Hols) 10am-5pm | 2 November to 31 March: Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm | Closed 7-13 May, 24-26 December & 1 January

Ticket Prices

£3.50 (Adults), £3 (Concs), £1.80 (Children)

Photo courtesy: amandabhslater

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