Musée Wellington

About the museum

The Wellington Museum occupies a former inn dating from 1705, in the centre of Waterloo; the building is now listed. The house served as headquarters for several military leaders during the 1815 campaign. It was here that the Duke of Wellington established his command on 17 June 1815, on the eve of the clash with Napoleon, and wrote his report on the victory that put the name “Waterloo” into history.

Through authentic memorabilia, weapons and prints, the rooms recount the events of that time and keep alive the memory of the nations and fighters involved. The museum presents the largest collection devoted to the Waterloo battlefield in a lively display, and several rooms are dedicated to the key figures of the battle.

The museum is run by the association Les amis du Musée Wellington. It also has a room for temporary exhibitions and regularly organises events, conferences and guided tours with guides in period costume. A lift takes you around part of the building; for rooms that the old structure makes inaccessible, a digital terminal offers a 360° tour.

The Pass 1815 links the museum with the Waterloo battlefield domain and Napoleon’s Last Headquarters in Genappe.

Highlights

• Inn of 1705 where Wellington set up his headquarters
• Largest collection on the Waterloo battlefield, in a lively display
• Audio guide included in the ticket, in six languages
• Guided tours by a guide in the uniform of a British soldier
• Digital terminal for a 360° tour of the rooms that are not accessible

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente sur la bataille de Waterloo – Authentic memorabilia, weapons and prints recount the 1815 campaign and the main figures of the battle, in a lively display.

Operated by

ASBL Les amis du Musée Wellington

Admission & discounts

Free with the museumPASSmusées, for museum members with an accompanying person, holders of the teacher card or press card, the passeport 365 attraction and tourism card (with an accompanying person) and members of the Waterloo Committee. The group rate applies to members of the National Lottery and residents of Waterloo; 50% discount for members of the SRAMA; discount with Escapade Wallonie; sport and culture cheques accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A suitable lift gives access to part of the museum; the building is over 300 years old and some rooms are not accessible, but a digital terminal allows them to be visited in 360°. One parking space for people with reduced mobility is less than 100 metres away. Guide dogs are admitted. It is advisable to let the museum know before the visit. Accessibility information is available on Access-i.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Guided tour specially designed for children, with a guide dressed as an English soldier from the battle; free admission for under-10s. School offer for primary and secondary schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Waterloo, opposite the Saint-Joseph chapel and Waterloo Tourisme. By car: N5 from Brussels or ring road R0, exit 28 “Waterloo Nord”; from the south, exit 27 “Waterloo Centre”.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 100 guests.

Salle Callataÿ, on the ground floor, 7 m by 20 m: 100 people standing or 80 seated, for public or private events, private views and lectures. Reserved for legal entities (ASBL etc.). Options: guided tour, bagpiper in costume, equipment, cleaning.

Plan your visit