The Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Royal Hospital Chelsea London SW3 4SR
Although a mere stone's throw from the busy King's Road, not many people who come to Chelsea actually find the Royal Hospital grounds. Which is a shame, because this tranquil series of buildings and courtyards, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1692 "for the succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war" remains one of the most peaceful spots anywhere in the capital, and astonishingly serves the same people today as it always has. Some 350 ex-soldiers, called in-pensioners or more colloquially "Chelsea Pensioners", currently make their home here and a visit to these grand brick buildings is greatly enhanced by these colourful characters who act as tour guides (both official and sometimes unofficial!) in their bright red "scarlets". Visitors can walk around most of the buildings and grounds, including College Court, Light Horse Court and the central – and most grand – Figure Court, which has a gold-leafed statue of Charles II, the hospital's founder, at its centre. Visitors can also see the opulent Great Hall, where the in-pensioners take their meals, the chapel and the museum, which tells the story of the hospital and its residents. Tours take in all of these sites and it's another one of those amazing free London attractions. Plus, each year on or near Charles II's birthday (May 29th) the hospital celebrates Founder's Day in Figure Court, with a thoroughly British display of pomp and ceremony, and each May the grounds play host to the Chelsea Flower Show.
