London - Royal Hospital

Built 300 years ago as a home for veteran and invalid soldiers, the Royal Hospital still houses more than 500 "Chelsea pensioners", old and disabled soldiers who on special occasions wear the traditional uniform of Marlborough's time, with scarlet frock-coats in summer and dark blue overcoats in winter.

The Hospital was founded by Charles II in 1682, probably on the model of Louis XIV's Hôtel des Invalides in Paris (1670). The original buildings were designed by Wren (1682-92); an extension was built by Robert Adam (1765-82); and the complex was completed by Sir John Soane (1819). The entrance to the Hospital is by the London Gate, on the northeast. To the east of the road is a museum illustrating the history of the Royal Hospital. In the Figure Court is a bronze statue of Charles II, a masterpiece by Grinling Gibbons. On Founder's Day (29 May) this is decked with oak boughs (commemorating Charles's escape after the Battle of Worcester by hiding in an oak tree), and the pensioners receive double pay. In the main building is the Great Hall, the finely panelled dining hall of the Hospital. On the walls are royal portraits and copies of flags captured from America and France. At the west end is an equestrian portrait of Charles II. In the Governor's House is the Council Chamber, originally designed by Wren, with later alterations by Adam. On the walls are pictures by Sir Anthony van Dyck, Sir Peter Lely and Sir Godfrey Kneller. The Chapel, also by Wren, has been preserved in its original state. In the apse is a fine painting of the Resurrection by Sebastiano Ricci (1710).

In the Royal Hospital gardens, which stretch down to the Thames embankment, are a number of cannons, some of them captured from the French at the Battle of Waterloo. Every year in late May, the famous Chelsea Flower Show is held here.