The Royal Hospital Chelsea turns 325 years old

3rd February 2017

The Chelsea Pensioners are celebrating the 325th anniversary of the opening of their historic home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The doors of the Sir Christopher Wren-designed Royal Hospital first opened on 4th February 1692, admitting the first 99 Chelsea Pensioners on that first day. By 28th March, the full capacity of the historic buildings had been reached – with some 476 former soldiers of the British Army.

Since the 17th century, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has been the ever-present home of the Chelsea Pensioners, taking in veterans of all major campaigns including the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, the two World Wars, all the way to more modern campaigns.

For a more in-depth look at the history of the Chelsea Pensioners, click here.

Royal Hospital Chelsea Newsletter

Stay up to date with what's going on at The Royal Hospital by signing up for our e‑newsletter.

News

View the archive

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.