In many ways the Royal Hospital Chelsea itself is a living museum, but we also have a dedicated museum with some of our more unusual items on display. The entrance hall is dedicated to the Duke of Wellington and features items such as George Jones' panorama of the Battle of Waterloo (1820). It also features a contemporary painting of Queen Elizabeth II by Andrew Festing (1998). The large diorama in the centre of the entrance hall depicts the Royal Hospital as it looked in 1742. The museum itself includes a reconstruction of a typical berth, the uniform of a veteran soldier, and many other artefacts.

Museum Opening Times
The museum is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) from 10am to 4pm.

Entry is free for groups under ten as part of the guided tour. Individual visits are not available at this time.

Christmas & New Year Opening Times
The Museum will be closed from 25th to 28th December 2023 and 1st January 2024.

Location

The closest entrance to the Museum is at the London Gate. You can locate this on our map by clicking here.

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News

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People sat round table looking at iPads. Pink House of Memories cloth in the middle with objects from the app on.
Royal Hospital Chelsea digital collection launches on the My House of Memories app

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is thrilled to announce the launch of our new digital collection on the My House of Memories app. The My House of Memories app was created by House of Memories, National Museums Liverpool’s dementia awareness programme, by and for people living with dementia. 

Female Chelsea Pensioners stood in front of Royal Hospital long ward in scarlet uniform and shako
Celebrating Women in the Army

This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the incredible women who have served and continue to serve in the British Army. To recognise their contribution, we hear from some of our female Chelsea Pensioners about their time in the Army.