Wellington Arch, London

Located across from the residence of the Duke of Wellington, Apsley House, stands this impressive stone arch, overseeing the bustling traffic at Hyde Park Corner. Crafted by Decimus Burton and finalized in 1828, it was conceived as a grand gateway to the western side of London, mirroring the design of another iconic structure, Marble Arch. Both arches serve as triumphant memorials commemorating Britain's victory over France in the Napoleonic Wars.

Crowning the structure, you'll find the Angel of Peace descending upon a quadriga, a four-horse chariot representing war. Inside, three levels house both permanent and temporary exhibitions that unveil the arch's history, including its previous role as London's smallest postwar police station. Two additional floors offer a more extensive exhibition focusing on the Battle of Waterloo.

For a modest perspective of Buckingham Palace gardens, Hyde Park Corner, and the bustling traffic below, you can also take a leisurely stroll onto the external balconies near the top of the monument.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Tony Kent.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Wellington Arch
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

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