Wellington Arch

I was looking in the English Heritage book as I usually do before we are heading up to a new place and I saw that the Wellington Arch can be visited. I never imagined it was possible and I really wanted to see it. The Arch was built in 1820s and it was moved to its current position in the 1880s as an attempt to ease the traffic in that area. The sculpture that is now on top of it was only placed there in 1911–12.

It was a gloomy grey day and the outside pictures aren’t breathtaking. I want to visit it again on a sunny and clear day.

On a side there is an entrance in the Arch. On the ground floor is the visitor centre. As I’m a member of English Heritage I had free entry, but it’s less than £5 anyway. There are five storeys, but not all are open to the public. On the first floor is the permanent exhibition with the history of the Arch. It is interesting to read about it.

In 1950s the Arch was the smallest police station in London. It housed 2 policeman and a cat, the one from the picture, called Snooks.

On an upper floor it was a exhibition for the Battle of Waterloo. There are some original artefacts on display and the story of the Napoleonic wars is very well written, with lots of details. In the temporary exhibition taking photographs wasn’t allowed.

The views from the terrace must be amazing on a clear day.

The Shard and the London Eye are visible despite the rain and clouds.

The Tower looks amazing. I like this picture a lot, only the tower and no sign of modern buildings in the background.

Apsley House is on the left, but it was too late to visit it.