Tours of The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Book A Guided Tour of the Royal Hospital with a Chelsea Pensioner
About our tours
Discover the history, beauty, and stories of the Royal Hospital Chelsea by joining one of our guided tours, led by a Chelsea Pensioner. You’ll explore some of the most stunning historic buildings in London and gain an insider’s perspective on what life is like as part of this unique community.
Our guided tours are now available regularly, offering both public and private options. Tickets for our full site tour are £30 for adults (£17.50 for children), while our new Wellington Hall Museum tour is just £15 for adults (£7.50 for children). Each tour is led by a Chelsea Pensioner, providing an unforgettable experience.
We have various tours available to suit a wide range of needs, please see our current tour list below.
To book your tour, simply select from the options below and secure your place for an enriching journey through history.
For any inquiries, please reach out to us at tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk, and we will respond as soon as possible. You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions here. For any urgent inquires regarding your booking. Please ring the following number 07581 054 462.
Tours are now booking through to December 23rd 2026. Please note tours do not run on Mondays.
Public guided tours
For individuals & small groups
Perfect for individuals or small groups, our public guided tours offer a chance to explore the Royal Hospital alongside others. Led by one of our knowledgeable Chelsea Pensioner Tour Guides, these daily tours are limited to 25 guests to ensure an intimate and engaging experience.
Private group tours
For small groups looking for a private experience
For a more personal experience, why not book a private group tour? With a minimum group size of 10, you’ll enjoy a tour hosted by one of our experienced Chelsea Pensioner Tour Guides. It’s a wonderful way to explore the Royal Hospital with friends, family, or colleagues.
Experience the Hidden Treasures of the Wellington Hall Museum
Step inside one of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s most special spaces with our exclusive Wellington Hall Museum Tour.
This remarkable museum is not open to the public - it can only be experienced by booking a dedicated tour, making it a rare opportunity to explore the history that lives at the heart of the Royal Hospital.
Military group tours
We offer a unique and exclusive tour experience for serving military personnel.
Military Group Tours run at 10:30am Tuesday - Friday through 27th February 2026. From 3rd March 2026, these will run from 10am Tuesday - Friday.
Military tours have a £50 donation fee per group (up to 25 personnel, please email us if you require booking for a larger group).
Guided Tour Gift Vouchers
Purchase the gift of a guided tour for a friend or loved one.
Choose from either our guided individual tours or a tour of the Wellington Hall Museum and purchase this unique opportunity that your friends, family and loved ones will remember for a lifetime.
Each gift voucher, available as either adult or child entry, is valid for any single visit booked within a year of purchase. Voucher can only be redeemed online. All tour dates are subject to availability and our standard terms (see below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our tour disclaimer here.
General Questions:
How long are the tours?
Tours typically last 90 minutes, but can extend up to 2 hours depending on visitor questions.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. We also have a spare wheelchair available for visitors to borrow if needed.
Where is the meeting point for the tour?
The meeting point is at the Soane Stable Yard, near the entrance to the tour video room, accessible via the Chelsea Gate.
Do you offer tours at different times of day?
For public guided tours, during peak season, we operate tours twice daily between Tuesday - Sunday at 10:30am and 2:00pm. During off-peak season we ordinarily have 1 tour per day, which alternates between 10:30 & 2:00pm. Please click our booking calendar above to see availability.
For private group tours, our regular tour times are 10:00, 10:30, 14:00, and 14:30. For larger groups, we can add extra slots with 15-minute intervals, subject to availability.
Can I bring children?
We recommend our tours for guests aged 14 and older. But children can attend if needed. Please email the tour inbox to enquire. tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk.
What facilities do you offer?
We have Heidi Bakery, a Gift Shop, and accessible toilets, including baby-changing facilities. Please also visit our Chelsea Pensioner’s Museum.
Can I reserve a tour?
Tours can be booked using the booking system above. Unfortunately, we cannot not hold tour spaces without prior booking and payment.
I would like to book a tour, but the dates haven’t been released yet.
We now release tour dates up to twelve months in advance. If your preferred date isn't showing within the next twelve months, it may sold out, or be unavailable due to operational reasons leading us to close tours for that specific day.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Refund Policy for Tours of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
- All ticket sales are final. Unfortunately, tickets cannot be refunded once purchased.
- If you are unable to attend your booked tour, we will do our best to accommodate a change of date, provided that at least 4 weeks' notice is given.
- An additional fee of £2.50 will be payable on rebooking your chosen tour date.
- To request a change of tour date, please contact us promptly at tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk with your booking details.
- We reserve the right to determine what constitutes reasonable notice and will communicate our decision accordingly.
Can we reserve places at the Heidi Bakery Café?
Yes, please contact Heidi Bakery directly. Manager Jorge Canela can be reached at jorge.canela@heidibakery.co.uk for reservations.
Can I increase my tour numbers for private groups?
Yes, if you email tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk we can investigate this for you further.
I have another question
Please email tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk and one of our team will respond to assist further.
Military & Private Group Tours:
Is there parking available for coaches?
Yes, coach parking is available for the duration of the tour.
How many people can join each tour?
Each tour accommodates a maximum of 25 people. For larger groups, please book multiple slots by emailing us at tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk.
Do you offer lunch or bar services?
Yes, but only for military groups we offer lunch and bar services. Please email if interested. tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk.
For public group tours please contact Jorge Canela at jorge.canela@heidibakery.co.uk to check availability within Heidi Bakery, our on-site café. Please note for large groups, you may not all be able to be seated at the same time.
I’ve already booked, but need to add more people?
If you need to add more participants, please email us at tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk. You can pay for the additional guests on the day of the tour.
Is there a dress code?
There is no dress code for private group visits, however for Military Tours visiting the Chelsea Pensioners Club, a dress code of trousers, shoes and collars (tie not necessary) is required.
Tour Disclaimer
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a working site with a rigid daily schedule, so it is important that tour groups arrive for the scheduled time – unfortunately tours can be refused entry if more than 30 minutes late. Please also note that as the Royal Hospital Chelsea is a working site, accessibility to areas of our site can be closed to visitors last minute. If this happens, our tour team will inform you of any closures or changes to your visit. On very rare occasions, tours may need to be cancelled to preserve the wellbeing of our site and pensioners. If this happens, your tour will be rebooked to a future date free of charge.