The Virtual Globetrotting website tells us:
The house is now run by English Heritage and is open to the public as a museum and art gallery, although His Grace the current Duke of Wellington still uses part of the building as a part-time residence. It is sometimes referred to as the Wellington Museum. It is perhaps the only preserved example of an English aristocratic town house from its period. The practice has been to maintain the rooms as far as possible in the original style and decor. It contains the 1st Duke's collection of paintings, porcelain, the silver centrepiece made for the Duke in Portugal, c 1815, sculpture and furniture. Antonio Canova's heroic marble nude of Napoleon holding a gilded Nike in the palm of his hand, made 1802-10, standing 3.45 metres to the raised left hand. It was set up for a time in the Louvre and was bought by the Government for Wellington in 1816 (Pevsner) and stands in Adam's Stairwell.
The magnificient collection of 200 paintings includes 83 which were acquired by the first Duke after the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, the paintings were in Joseph Bonaparte's baggage train, they were from the Spanish royal collection and were presented to Wellington by King Ferdinand VII of Spain. The painting collection includes work by:
American: John Singleton Copley
British: Sir William Beechey, John Burnet, George Dawe, John Hoppner, Edwin Landseer, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Sir David Wilkie
Dutch: Pieter de Hooch, Jan van Huysum, Nicolaes Maes, Willem van Mieris, Antonis Mor, Aernout van der Neer, Adriaen van Ostade, Cornelius van Poelenburgh, Jan Steen, Willem van de Velde the Younger, Jan Victors
Flemish: Paul Brill, Adriaen Brouwer, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Anthony van Dyck, Antony Francis van der Meulen, Rubens, David Teniers the Younger
French: Claude Lorrain, Claude-Joseph Vernet
German: Hans von Aachen, Adam Elsheimer, Anton Raphael Mengs
Italian: Leandro Bassano, Giuseppe Cesari, Carlo Cignani, Antonio da Correggio, Luca Giordano, Antiveduto Grammatica, Guercino, Giovanni Paolo Panini, Guido Reni, Giulio Romano, Salvator Rosa, Francesco Trevisani, Marcello Venusti
Spanish: Claudio Coello, Goya, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Jusepe de Ribera, Velasquez
The 1st Duke received many gifts from European rulers that are displayed in the House:
A pair of large candelabra of Siberian porphyry, ormolu & Malachite centre and two side tables, presented by Nicholas I of Russia.
A pair of Swedish porphyry urns, from King Charles XIV John of Sweden.
A dinner service of Berlin porcelain, from Frederick William III of Prussia.
The Egyptian dinner service of Sèvres porcelain, from Louis XVIII of France.
The silver and silver-gilt Portuguese service of over a thousand pieces, from the Portuguese Council of Regency.
The Saxon Service of Meissen porcelain, from Frederick Augustus I of Saxony.
This magnificent building, that stands on the north side of Hyde Park Corner was designed by Robert Adam. Numerous works of art are housed in the building.
The English Heritage website [visit link] tells us:
" Addresses don’t come much grander than 'Number One London', the popular name for Apsley House, one of the most interesting visitor attractions in London. Home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, the interior of the house has changed very little since the days of the Iron Duke.
It boasts one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens as well as a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain. Pride of place goes to a massive nude statue of Napoleon. Why not include a stroll through nearby Hyde Park, and a visit to nearby Wellington Arch for a great value family day out in London."
The English Heritage website [visit link] also tells us:
"Apsley House was originally designed and built by Robert Adam between 1771 and 1778 for Baron Apsley – from whom it takes its name. It passed to the Wellesley family in 1807, being first owned by Richard and then his younger brother Arthur Wellesley – the first Duke of Wellington.
Wellington is most famous for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, but this was only the culmination of a brilliant military career, including strings of victories in India and later in Spain. He was also a major politician, rising from representing a small Irish constituency in 1790 to becoming Prime Minister in 1828.
The Piccadilly Drawing Room incorporates one of Adam's finest rooms for the original Apsley House into Wyatt's new design for Wellington
The current appearance of Apsley House is the result of alterations made by the Wellesley family, who twice extended the brick Adam house and encased it in stone. The Corinthian portico and two bays of the west wing were added in 1828.
Perhaps more importantly, many rooms were redesigned to reflect the Duke of Wellington's rising status: Apsley House’s dazzling interiors are magnificent examples of the Regency style. They provided the perfect backdrop for entertaining, particularly at the annual Waterloo Banquets which commemorated the great victory."
The English Heritage website [visit link] also lists the times of opening. These vary on a seasonal basis so reference should be made to the website.
The same page also list the admission peices which are currently:
"Prices
Member (Join now) Free
Adult £6.50
Child (5-15 years) £3.90
Concession are you eligible? £5.90
Family (2 adults, 3 children) £21.30
Overseas Visitor Pass Available
Further Pricing Details
Joint ticket with Wellington Arch: Adult £8.20, Concession £7.40, Child £4.90"
The buiding is Grade I listed and the entry at the English Heritage website [visit link] tells us:
"Mansion. Built 1771-8 by Robert Adam. Remodelled and enlarged 1828-9 by Benjamin and Philip Wyatt; further alterations 1853 by Philip Hardwick. Bath stone faced. Roof not visible. 3 storeys. 7 windows wide. Rusticated podium with centre 3 bays breaking forward to support pedimented Corinthian portico. Podium with arched entrances. Square headed architraved sash windows; French casements to first floor. Glazing bars. Corinthian pilaster treatment to corners, sides and rear, with dentil cornice to all four elevations. Fine interiors, including some original decorations by Adam Brothers, Wyatt's Waterloo Gallery, etc. The residence of the 1st Duke of Wellington."