London's Finest Historic Houses

Apsley House - The wellington Museum Apsley House was the home of the first Duke of Wellington and the house was designed and built by Robert Adam in the 1770's. Situated at Hyde Park Corner in London, Aspley House has been known as ‘Number 1 London’ for over 200 years. Originally built in red brick, the house was extended twice and encased in Bath stone. The first Duke of Wellington was an outstanding soldier and statesman and Apsley House - a fine example of an early 19th-century aristocrat's town house - contains many aspects of the duke's life and work. Highlights of Aspley House Fine Regency Interiors Paintings by many famous artists including Rubens and Goya The huge nude statue of Napoleon by Canova which dominates the stairwell at the centre of the house. The Wellington Shield by Thomas Stothard Far reaching views of the royal parks of London and the Palace of Westminster can be had from the balconies near the top of Aspley House. Opening Times: 21 Mar - 31 Oct 11am-5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols. 1 Nov - 31 Mar 11am - 4pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan      Apsley House - 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner. Nearest Tube /London Underground Station :Hyde Park Corner. Clarence House     Famous as the London home of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002, it was also the home of The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947. Clarence House - incorporated the south-western corner of the Tudor buildings of St. James's Palace and was built between 1825 and 1827 - it has been a Royal residence for over 170 years. Created by Nash - it presents as a bright, stuccoed, three-storey mansion of classical proportions. Today Clarence House is the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and is the London home of Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry. Clarence House is open to the public during the summer months, each year. Visitors are given a guided tour of five rooms on the ground floor and adjoining spaces. Ticket Sales and Information Office London SW1A 1AA Telephone (+44) (0)20 7766 7303 E-mail bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk Opening times 5 August - 28 September 2008 10:00 - 17:30 (last admission 16:30) Admission by guided tour. All tickets are timed and must be pre-booked. Nearest London Underground Station(s) / Tube: Green Park or St James's Park. Spencer House Spencer House was commissioned by the first Earl Spencer, in 1756-66. He was an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-97). A few years after Spencer House was built, the writer Arthur Young wrote: "I know not in England a more beautiful piece of architecture…in richness, elegance and taste, superior to any house I have seen." Near to St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace - many high-society gatherings took place in this house over 150 years, but - by the end of World War II, the house was in a very sad state of repair. Major restoration works in the 1980's brought Spencer House back to its late 18th-century greatness. Spencer House is situated at 27 St James's Place, London SW1A 1NR. and is open to the public every Sunday (except during January and August) from 10.30 a.m. - 5.45 p.m (guided tour only). telephone the information line, 020 7499 8620, for updated changes and DETAILS OF TOURS AND COSTS.  Nearest London underground station / tube: Green Park. Free Guide To London self-guided walks For hidden London, secret places - please see our free London walks. Free Guide To Walks in London London Walks for Free For walks around London's secret places - please see our free London walks. Free Guide to London self-guided walks Attractions, highlights and walk directions Free Walk - London Walks for Free Self-guided walk from Buckingham Palace to Westmnster Cathedral.