PIN The Royal Hospital Chelsea

A Kings Road Institution

Sir Christopher Wren designed and built the Royal Hospital Chelsea over 300 years ago during the reign of King Charles II. The King had a vision for a home for veteran soldiers for whom the state had, previously, made no specific provision and the church provided care for the poor and sick. However, most of this provision ended following the falling out with Rome and the dissolution of the monasteries during the reign of King Henry VIII.

In 1681, King Charles II issued a Royal Warrant authorising the building of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to look after those 'broken by age or war'. He commissioned Wren to design and erect the building and Sir Stephen Fox was ordered to secure the funds necessary to progress the build. The site, close to the River Thames in the rural setting of Chelsea contained the uncompleted building of the former 'Chelsey College'. In 1692 work was completed and the first Chelsea Pensioners marched in in February.

Today the buildings are the home to many Chelsea Pensioners, ordinary soldiers who have served their country and who are now in later years. There may not be any truth in the saying that ‘old soldiers never die’ but here in Chelsea, they are given a warm welcome and a comfortable home.