This famous building is the home of the "Chelsea Pensioners".  It was founded by King Charles II in 1682 as a refuge for veterans of the regular Army, and was inspired by the similar institution by Louis XIV in Paris in 1670 (Les Invalides).  The architect was - of course - Sir Christopher Wren, who designed a building with a main court open to the south and sweeping grounds down to the River Thames.

Royal Hospital Chelsea

The world-famous Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show is held on the lawns every Spring. The Old Soldiers can be seen in blue "un-dress" uniform during normal days - they wear the splendid red "full-dress" long coats and black hats on special days.  Some Lady Pensioners have just joined the men, so the Royal Hospital is no longer an exclusively male preserve.

 An appeal was launched to refurbish the hospital to give the pensioners some more basic creature comforts that we all take for granted, and this new section was opened in the spring of 2009.

 Nearest Tube station:  Sloane Square