The Royal Hospital Chelsea turns 325 years old
3rd February 2017
The Chelsea Pensioners are celebrating the 325th anniversary of the opening of their historic home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The doors of the Sir Christopher Wren-designed Royal Hospital first opened on 4th February 1692, admitting the first 99 Chelsea Pensioners on that first day. By 28th March, the full capacity of the historic buildings had been reached – with some 476 former soldiers of the British Army.
Since the 17th century, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has been the ever-present home of the Chelsea Pensioners, taking in veterans of all major campaigns including the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, the two World Wars, all the way to more modern campaigns.
For a more in-depth look at the history of the Chelsea Pensioners, click here.
