Waterloo at Windsor
1815-2015

2015 marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the defeat of Napoleon.
In celebration of the allied victory, George IV created the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle, a grand space filled with portraits of those instrumental in the victory, among them the Duke of Wellington.
Throughout 2015, Waterloo at Windsor: 1815–2015 combined a themed trail through the State Apartments with a display of prints, drawings and archival material that explored the battle and its aftermath.
The trail highlighted objects seized on the battlefield by the victors, including silver, furniture, weapons and the beautiful red cloak belonging to Napoleon, presented to George IV by Wellington's ally, Field-Marshal Gebhardt von Blücher.
In this short film Surveyor of The Queen's Pictures, Desmond Shawe-Taylor, introduces the Waterloo Chamber, created at Windsor Castle following the great victory over Napoleon. The portraits adorning the walls of monarchs, warriors and diplomats were painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence and are a towering achievement of British art. Two hundred years later the room remains a symbol of royal magnificence and national celebration.
Events programme
Exhibition Highlights
French
Napoleon's Cloak (Burnous)
Sèvres porcelain factory
Table of the Great Commanders
Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830)
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)
Thomas Chippendale the Younger (1749-1822)
Waterloo Chair
Map & directions
By car
There is no visitor car parking at the Castle, so we recommend you use public car parks in the town centre. Details about parking in Windsor town centre can be found on www.windsor.gov.uk
By train
The nearest train stations are 'Windsor & Eton Central' or 'Windsor & Eton Riverside'.
Both stations are a short walk (less than 10 minutes) to the Castle but from Riverside station you will need to walk up a steep hill.
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By coach / bus
Windsor Express buses operate regular services to Windsor town centre:
- Route 702 runs from near Victoria Station in central London
- Route 703 runs from Heathrow Terminal 5
Find more information on the Windsor Express website.
Tour companies operate excursions to Windsor Castle from many London hotels. For details, please ask your hotel concierge.