For this particular one, the GLW (e.g. Good Lady Wife) was not at work and so wanted to accompany me – as a result, I couldn’t really go charging around all over the place as I usually do, and so, using our English Heritage ‘Senior’ Membership that our 2 daughters got us for Xmas – we visited “Apsley House” (right next door to Hyde Park), that was built in 1770, and from 1817, the home of Arthur Wellersley – the 1st Duke of Wellington!!!!
This property had the prestigious and unique address of “Number 1 London” – and is now a museum dedicated to the hundreds of artefacts such as oil paintings, weaponry, armoury, porcelain and loads of other ‘gifts’ that were bestowed upon the Duke of Wellington by European heads of state – as a ‘thank you’ for defeating Napoleon 
⚔️ This landmark is well worth a visit, but disappointingly they do not allow any photography inside the building.
The next stop was the “Wellington Arch” – erected in 1827 and originally designed to be the main gateway entrance to Buckingham Palace – but following Wellington’s victory at Waterloo, a decision was made for it to be a celebratory . monument. From the top pf the ‘Arch’ there are good views of Constitution Hill, Hyde Park and Apsley House itself (but if you are going – do yourself a favour and pick a warm day, as it was freezing up there 
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Then – on the way home, we stopped off at “Grosvenor Square” – the location of the American Embassy (and home to many other famous people throughout the years) – and the scene of historic Anti-Vietnam demonstration back in 1968 – where some 30,000 demonstrators clashed with Police, leaving many people badly injured. It was this event that prompted an on-looking Jagger/Richard to pen the classic song “Street Fighting Man”
All in all – not a bad day out.
Apsley House – formerly “Number 1-London” – and the former home of the 1st Duke of Wellington from 1817 – and still home to the current Duke.
Apsley House – from the top of Wellington Arch
The monument tribute to Wellington
Wellington Arch – erected in 1827 – originally designed as a main gate to Buckingham Palace – but then utilised as a celebratory monument to commemorate victory over Napoleon
A view of Constitution Hill, from the top of Wellington Arch
The view from the top of Wellington Arch
References to The Duke of Wellington and the Napoleonic wars – inside Wellington Arch
Geoff Clements 27 April · Edited · Wellington’s famous “boots”
References to The Duke of Wellington and the Napoleonic wars – inside Wellington Arch
References to The Duke of Wellington and the Napoleonic wars – inside Wellington Arch
Grosvenor Square – the scene of the Anti-Vietnam demonstration in in 1968 and the inspiration to Jagger/Richards in respect of their song “Street Fighting Man” !!
Grosvenor Square
The roof of the American Embassy – Grosvenor Square
A couple of old hippie demonstrators re-visit Grosvenor Square