CHQ Highlights Walking Tour

Explore the stories, streets and hidden corners of Chelsea Heritage Quarter on a guided walking tour with Emily Laurence Baker.

About the event

Ever wondered who those dapper figures in scarlet coats are that you see on the streets of Chelsea? You might know where they live but do you know details of their daily lives? And just what, exactly, is a physic garden? Maybe you’ve contemplated what it’s like to be on tour with the British Army – where do soldiers brush their teeth and how do they keep in touch with loved ones at home?  

You’ll get the answer to these questions and many more on the Chelsea Heritage Quarter Highlights tour. The walk is less than one mile long but covers more than 350 years of history that reveals the historical depth of Chelsea. You’ll stop at three of the institutions that comprise Chelsea Heritage Quarter: the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the National Army Museum, and Chelsea Physic Garden. Along the way we’ll stop at other historic sites to hear about the early development of Chelsea. 

Chelsea boasts two of London’s oldest landmarks. Both the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Chelsea Physic Garden have been flourishing here since the 1600s. Surprisingly little has changed at either place and learning about them fosters an appreciation for their longevity and their significant stature in the wider world. 

The Brutalist building that houses the National Army Museum is in fact situated on the site of the original infirmary, designed by the eminent 18th-century architect, Sir John Soane. That building was virtually destroyed in the Second World War and when the collections of the National Army Museum outgrew their quarters at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the current building was commissioned. It is a fitting location for this large Royal Hospital Road complex which celebrates the dedication and contributions of the British Army.   

This is a highlights walk with visits to all three Chelsea Heritage Quarter sites.

Additional information

Meeting point:

Outside Sloane Square Underground Station, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8BB

End point: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS, a short walk from bus routes on Royal Hospital Road and from Sloane Square station

Guide language: English (live commentary)

About the speaker

Emily Laurence Baker has lived in central London since 1991, working as a freelance travel writer. Her articles have appeared in publications across the globe, including ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Washington Post’, ‘The Independent’ and ‘The Telegraph’. She is a Blue Badge Guide and regularly takes small groups on personalised walking tours. As a Chelsea local, she loves sharing her neighbourhood’s history with others.