Cripplegate Ward Club 2009

TOUR OF WELLINGTON ARCH and APSLEY HOUSE
Hyde Park Corner, London SWl

FOLLOWED BY LUNCH IN SHEPHERDS MARKET

Thursdav.14th Januarv 2010

In the quiet days of January come with us to visit Apsley House at Hyde Park Corner also known as "Number 1 London", the home of the First Duke of Wellington, the victor of Waterloo and the "liberator of Europe from
Napoleon".

It is one of London's few surviving aristocratic town houses and is full of Wellington's trophies and collections, including fine paintings, sculptures, works of art in silver and porcelain, swords, batons and orders - the gifts of emperors, tsars and kings to Britain's greatest military hero.

Most remarkable is the colossal nude statue of Napoleon as a Greek god, commissioned by Napoleon and after Waterloo presented to the Duke by the Prince Regent.

We shall assemble at the Wellington Arch at 10.00 a.m. for a guided tour of the Arch with coffee and shall hope to see the Horseguards on their way to take their positions in Whitehall.

The Arch was designed and erected by the architect Decimus Burton in 1825 and was originally conceived as a formal entrance to Green Park from Piccadilly. It was moved to its present position in 1882. We will then have a short walk across the road for a guided tour of Apsley House.

After the tour there is a ten-minute walk to Shepherds Market where we shall lunch in the upstairs room at the Shepherds Tavern. This public house, reputedly built in 1735, is small and traditional and the price includes two courses and a glass of wine.

The nearest tube station is Hyde Park Corner.

The cost is £30 per person or £27.50 concessions or £25 for members of English Heritage.

Please complete your reservations by Friday, 8th January.
Unfortunately, refunds for cancellations after this date cannot be given. Tickets will not be issued. Unless you hear to the contrary your booking is confirmed.