Wellington Barracks

Wellington Barracks is a military barracks in Westminster, central London, for the Foot Guards battalions on public duties in that area. The building is located about three hundred yards from Buckingham Palace, allowing the guard to be able to reach the palace very quickly in an emergency, and lies between Birdcage Walk and Petty France. Three companies are based at the barracks, as well as all of the Foot Guards bands and the regimental headquarters.

For the building in Hong Kong, see Wellington Barracks, Hong Kong. For the former barracks in Dublin, see Griffith Barracks. For the building in Bury, see Wellington Barracks, Bury.

Wellington Barracks
London
Wellington Barracks
Wellington Barracks
Location within London
Coordinates51°29′59″N 0°8′16″W
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1833
Built forWar Office
In use1833-Present
Garrison information
OccupantsGrenadier Guards
Coldstream Guards
Scots Guards
DesignationsGrade II listed building

History

Wellington Barracks were designed by Sir Francis Smith and Philip Hardwick and opened in 1833.[1] The Guards Chapel was rebuilt in the 1960s after the original chapel was destroyed by a bomb in World War II.[2] On 31 August 2007, Diana, Princess of Wales' two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, organised a memorial service in the chapel, marking the 10th anniversary of their mother's death.[3] The Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards currently have a company based at the barracks.[4]

The building is Grade II listed, along with the gates and railings.[5][6][7][8]

Amenities

Wellington Barracks has many amenities open to those working and living within the barracks. There is a Bar for the junior ranks, which has many games available including horse racing and snooker tables. The cost cutter shop with a self-serve restaurant, a masseur and mess are located here. There is a single serving personnel room with Internet access available, as well as an interactive learning facility open to all serving soldiers and their dependants. Elsewhere there is an officers' mess, sergeants' mess, and a gymnasium with squash courts. The Guards Museum houses a collection of uniforms, colours and artefacts spanning over three hundred years of history of the Foot Guards.[2] The Flanders Fields Memorial Garden is situated in the barracks, adjacent to the Guards Chapel.[9]

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References
  1. "The Three Parks – Daylight Route". The Serpentine. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  2. Humphreys, Rob (212). The Rough Guide to London, p.60. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1405386982.
  3. "Princes lead Diana memorial service tributes". The Telegraph. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  4. "Armed Forces". Hansard. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  5. "Wellington Barracks Main Centre Block With East and West Wings (1218567)". English Heritage. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  6. "Wellington Barracks East Guardhouse (1066439)". English Heritage. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  7. "Wellington Barracks West Guardhouse (1066440)". English Heritage. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  8. "Wellington Barracks Railings and East and West Gates to Birdcage Walk (1218583)". English Heritage. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  9. "The Queen leads remembrance events in London". BBC News Online. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.

See also
  • Grenadier Guards Band
  • Coldstream Guards Band
  • Scots Guards Band
  • Irish Guards Band
  • Welsh Guards Band


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