Wellington Museum and the Royal Chapel of Waterloo

Tour guides can accomodate up to 20 people. For Larger groups, please book additional guides as needed

In summary :

A visit to the Wellington Museum will transport you back to 19th century Waterloo.  The building, a former coaching inn dating back to 1705, has been faithfully preserved close to its original state.  During your visit, you will walk on the same tiled floor as the Duke himself.

There are three parts to the visit:

1. An explanation, with the aid of maps, placing the Battle of Waterloo in the context of 19th Century European history, detailing the events of June 16th, 17th, and 18th 1815, as well as the movements of the Duke of Wellington before, during, and after the battle.
2. Tour of the museum, with thorough descriptions of the items in each room, and the history surrounding them.
3. A guided visit to the Royal Chapel across the street containing many plaques, French and Allied, commemorating regiments and soldiers killed during the fighting.

The site :

The Wellington Museum is housed in the former Bodenghien Inn, dating from 1705.  In 1815, this large edifice was used as a postal relay station for horses, and was chosen by Wellington’s staff for their headquarters. Wellington spent the nights of the 17th and 18th of June 1815 here.  It was also here where Wellington wrote his communique announcing the victory.  Via the numerous authentic souvenirs, weapons, and etchings, the 14 rooms of the museum retrace the events of the period, and perpetuate the memory of the nations and soldiers who participated in the confrontation. 

During the night of June 18^th, it was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, aide-de-camp to Wellington, died of his injuries.  Lord Uxbridge, commander of the Allied cavalry, had his leg amputated in a nearby house.

The Royal Chapel of Waterloo: Situated directly across the street from the Wellington Museum, pre-dates the battle of 1815. 

The Chapel originated from the promise made by the Marquis of Gastanaga, the then Spanish Governor-General of the Belgian provinces, to King Charles II, to build a chapel in the hopes that the King would issue an heir.  This wish can still be seen upon entering, on the lintel between the two stone lions.  Built in 1689, it became an Allied memorial in the aftermath of the battle.  A bust of Wellington, a relief to the memory of William of Orange, and many funerary plaques on the walls of the interior of the church recount vivid stories of military deeds. 

Our visit :

In the courtyard of the inn, your guide will take you through the Waterloo Campaign of 1815, as well as details of the Battle of Waterloo.  They will recount the historical facts around the Duke of Wellington’s presence at Waterloo.

In the Museum, you will hear about the Treaty of Vienna, and the decision by the 7^th Coalition to invade France in July 1815, and about the presence of Wellington and the Prussian leader Blucher in Belgium, as well as the events of June 14th and 15th.  Through the various rooms in the museum you will learn about the Duke himself, his staff, and his allied armies.  Furthermore, three rooms are dedicated respectively to the French, Prussian and Dutch-Belgian armies.  You will find out why the battle taking place on the 18^th of June 1815 is known as the “Battle of Waterloo” even though it did not actually take place there.  We shall also discuss the importance of the participation of the Duke’s descendants in our commemorations. 

A guided tour of the Royal Chapel illustrates life in the hamlet of Waterloo a century before the battle, and the role played by this community in attracting tourism between Britain and the battlefield.

 

 :  Opening hours, ticket prices, and access

Your journey from the Memorial 1815 Village to the Museum is about 10 km, and will require your own transportation

 :  Entry ticket to this site.           

 : This site is not wheelchair accessible.

Plan on your own transportation between the sites, except for travel between the Memorial 1815 Village and the Hougoumont Farm.  Bring appropriate clothing for the weather.

Our four-legged friends are not permitted to enter the sites.

: Chaussée de Bruxelles 147, 1410 Waterloo, Belgium - http://www.museewellington.be/

: The tour will take 1h, (1:30 if you visit the Royal Chapel as well).  3h will be required if combined with other sites.  NB:  If doing the audio guide of the Memorial Museum (Lion Village), please allow 1:30.