Wellington Arch

A neoclassical triumphal arch, designed by Decimus Burton and first erected in 1826 as a grand entrance to Buckingham Palace. In 1846, a massive equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington was placed on top of the arch. a major road widening of Piccadilly in 1882 was the opportunity to finally remove the oversized statue to Aldershot. The present magnificent statue, Peace Descending on the Quadriga of War, was placed on top of the Arch in 1912, and remains the largest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom, spectacularly lit at night. During the 1950s, the arch served as the smallest police station in the city, when it was occupied by ten constables, two sergeants and a cat! The arch was opened to the public for the first time in 2001 after a £1.5 million restoration by English Heritage. Wellington Arch is also available for corporate and private events, with dramatic views down Constitution Hill and across central London from the Arch's spacious balconies.

• history

Address

Apsley Way, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7JZ

Getting there

tube:; in the centre of the Hyde Park Corner roundabout

Hours

Interior access daily: Apr–Sep 10AM–6PM; Oct 10AM–5PM; Nov–Mar 10AM-4PM

Price

£4.20 adult, £3.80 concessions, £2.50 child

Website

english-heritage.org.uk (opens in a new tab)