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 might seem incongruous next to the 17th-century grandeur of Christopher Wren’s Royal Hospital but it 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 without visits to CHQ sites. But why not visit one or two while you’re here? The Soane Stable yard at the Royal Hospital is free to all and open seven days a week. Timed, paid admission tickets must be booked ahead for tours of the Royal Hospital and Physic Garden but the National Army Museum is free and open to all.    

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.