Saturday 15th November 2025 – 11:00 – 15:30
Led by Jimmy Lu and Sasala Wickramasinghe
On Saturday 15th November we draw the National Army Museum and Chelsea. The National Army Museum tells the history of the British Army from the times of the English Civil War to modern times through its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Founded in 1960, the museum was re-opened in 2017 in a refurbished venue on Royal Hospital Road.
Adjacent to the National Army Museum, the Royal Chelsea Hospital occupies a 66-acre site. Designed by Wren, with further work by Sir John Soane, the hospital is home for 300 retired servicemen – the Chelsea Pensioners. The newly renovated Soane Stable Yard, located west of the main building, hosts an interactive exhibition and is free to visit.
If the weather allows, other options to draw include the ornate architecture of the neighbouring Chelsea residential buildings as well as the Chelsea Embankment. The area also offers views of the River Thames, the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, and Battersea Power Station on the opposite bank.
The Chelsea Physic Garden will not be open on Saturdays but is a highly attractive option to sketch, if you don’t mind the £5-15 entrance fee.
Important points to note on the day
- The museum have organised a short introduction to the museum at 11:15am. This is optional, but if you’d like to attend this please ensure you’re at the meeting point by 11.00am sharp.
- Use of watercolour is not allowed inside the museum.
Key times and meeting points for the day:
Saturday 15th November 2025
11 am: We will meet outside the National Army Museum entrance, on Royal Hospital Road.
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11.15 am: short presentation about the museum, in the atrium area.
1 pm :We will meet inside the museum atrium to look at the drawings done so far.
3.30 pm: Back to the atrium to look at drawings and take group photographs.
Practical Information
Travel
The National Army Museum is about 10 minutes’ walk from Sloane Square Underground (District and Circle lines). Alternatively, the 170 bus runs from Victoria and stops outside the museum. The National Army Museum is fully wheelchair-accessible.
Toilets
Located inside the National Army Museum.
Weather
The museum collection is entirely indoors. People are welcome to sketch in the area around the Museum if the weather allows.
Refreshments
The National Army Museum contains a café with plenty of seating and serves a selection of hot and cold food, pastries, and refreshments. The Soane Stable Yards of the Royal Chelsea Hospital also contain a small café. A handful of pubs are scattered in the area, but the largest concentration of restaurants is located along King’s Road, about 10 minutes’ walk away.
“After-party”
For those who would like to stay on afterwards, we will go to Coopers Arms at 87 Flood St (SW3 5TB), a short walk from the meeting point.
