Royal Hospital Chelsea, Military retirement home and hospital in Chelsea, London, United Kingdom.
Royal Hospital Chelsea is a military retirement home and museum in Chelsea, London, occupying a sprawling complex of red brick buildings. The site includes courtyards, chapels and gardens that stretch toward the Thames, lined with mature trees and grass lawns.
King Charles II founded the institution in 1682 to house injured and elderly soldiers from the British Army. Architect Christopher Wren designed the buildings, which were expanded several times over the centuries.
Residents wear scarlet coats for ceremonies and dark blue uniforms for daily life, both paired with tricorn hats from the 17th century. Life here follows rituals such as shared meals, where veterans sit together and exchange their stories.
Tours are led by residents themselves and offer access to the chapel, dining hall and gardens. Visitors should book online in advance, as places are limited and tours run only on certain days.
Some residents take part in the parade for the monarch's birthday, one of the oldest military ceremonies in the country. The chapel houses flags of captured regiments taken during past conflicts.
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