10.00am - 5.30pm
FREE
Chelsea, London

10.00am - 5.30pm
FREE
Chelsea, London

1800s

Explore 1800s stories

Florence Nightingale at Scutari, 1856

Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp

Florence Nightingale was a legend in her own lifetime and one of the most famous women in British history.

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Napoleon at Waterloo, 1815

Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. It was the decisive battle of its age.

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The defence of Rorke’s Drift 22-23 January 1879

Defence of Rorke’s Drift

This battle took place on 22-23 January 1879. A huge force of Zulus attacked a small British garrison, but was eventually repelled after more than 12 hours of bitter fighting.

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Sir William Inglis, 1820

William Inglis: The original die-hard

Major-General Sir William Inglis had a long and successful career. But it was his actions in the Peninsular War, when he showed enormous personal courage and leadership under fire, that earned him national fame.

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Thin Red Line, 1854

Battle of Balaklava

The Battle of Balaklava in 1854 witnessed one of the most famous acts of battlefield bravery and one of the most infamous blunders in military history.

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Thomas the cavalry horse, c2012

Horse heroes

Horses have played a vital role in supporting soldiers on and off the battlefield. Explore the stories of some of the most incredible horses in British military history.

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Explore 1800s events

School children taking part in a Crimean War workshop

Primary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

Florence and Mary

Discover the historic contributions of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and why they have been remembered (or not) over time.

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’Mutinous Sepoys’, c1857

Secondary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Analyse evidence from documents and artefacts, then curate an exhibition to make a case for whether the conflict was a mutiny or war of independence.

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The Indian 'Mutiny'?

Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

Analyse evidence from sources and artefacts to make a case for how the 1857 uprising in India should be interpreted.

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Florence Nightingale tending to wounded soldiers at Scutari Hospital

Primary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

Florence and Mary (virtual)

Discover the historic contributions of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and why they have been remembered (or not) over time.

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School children taking part in a Crimean War workshop

SEND workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

Florence and Mary (SEND)

Find out about the work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and how they helped the soldiers in the Crimea.

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Explore 1800s learning resources

Florence and Mary: Gallery Trail

Trail

KS1-KS2 (Ages 5 to 11)

Florence and Mary: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail and learn more about how to care for sick and injured soldiers.

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Florence Nightingale in the Military Hospital at Scutari, 1855

Quiz

KS1 (Ages 5 to 7)

Florence and Mary in the Crimean War: Quiz

Put your knowledge of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to the test in this interactive quiz.

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Operation Science: Signals

Video

KS2-KS3 (Ages 7 to 14)

Operation Science: Signals

Step into the world of Army signalling in the latest instalment of Operation Science.

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Marvellous Mary Seacole

Home Activity

KS1-KS2 (Ages 5 to 11)

Marvellous Mary Seacole

Discover more about Mary Seacole and her work at the British Hotel during the Crimean War.

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How to Draw: Victorian edition

Home Activity

KS1-KS2 (Ages 5 to 11)

How to Draw: Victorian edition

Use our simple step-by step instructions to have a go at drawing Florence Nightingale, her pet owl and the ship she took to the Crimea.

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