Wellington Arch

School Visits

Dedicated as a victory arch to Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon, Wellington Arch is an ideal landmark to bring military history to life. From the balconies, you can see Europe’s largest bronze statue and watch the current Household Cavalry on their way to the Changing of the Guard.

 

"You certainly know how to bring an educational visit to life.”

Teacher, KS2

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Wellington Arch will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in your own locality
  • KS2 History: Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2-3 History: A local history study
  • KS3 History: Ideas, political power, industry and Empire: Britain 1745-1901
  • KS1-4 Art & Design: The history of art, craft, design and architecture

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Wellington Arch and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Discover one of London’s best known landmarks and admire the view across the capital from the balconies of Wellington Arch. 

The exhibition space hosts various displays throughout the year. Please check the Wellington Arch main page to see details of current exhibition.

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Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and for Covid-19 risk assessments and measures we’ve got in place please visit our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: No parking available on site. The coach drop-off is a five-minute walk away in Park Lane. There are excellent transport links nearby, including Hyde Park Corner Underground and several bus stops.
    • TOILETS: No toilets at site. Closest toilets at Apsley House.
    • LUNCH: No lunch space.
    • SHOP: Small gift shop offering a range of souvenirs.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: No education room or bag storage.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: The Arch is fully accessible, with a lift large enough to accommodate a mobility scooter, from the ground floor leading to all other floors.
    • WET WEATHER: Apart from viewing balconies, site is indoors.
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. 

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-October: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • The Battle of Waterloo: A Timeline

    Use this short video to better understand the timeline of events during the Battle of Waterloo.

  • History of Wellington Arch

    Use our online resources to find out more about the development of Wellington Arch from 1825 to the present day.