Chelsea Pensioners welcome visitors to the new Soane Stable Yard at The Royal Hospital Chelsea
You are here:

Home page

What is a Chelsea Pensioner?

The Chelsea Pensioners are retired British Army veterans who live at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. They come from various backgrounds across the United Kingdom, and their home here is an historic institution dedicated to providing care, camaraderie, and support to those who have served our nation.

Chelsea Pensioner stand alongside supporters during an event in the Great Hall

Support the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Become a supporter of the Royal Hospital Chelsea today and enjoy exclusive events and opportunities with friends and family at one of the most iconic sites in the capital. 

Latest news

John Morris's Story

8th May 2025

When the war started, I was called up as a regular soldier at the age of 17. I was excited; in those days you thought it was exciting going to war. I was a gun layer and saw through the Blitz in London, as part of the Anti-Aircraft Battery. During the first week of the war,a German Dornier Do flying boat came over on a reconnaissance mission and I had to lay the gun to fire at it. I didn’t hit the Dornier, but knocked a kitchen chimney down. I wasn’t very popular and we weren’t given any breakfast that morning!

Brian Howarth's Story

8th May 2025

Brian Howarth was only 16 when he joined the British Army in 1942. Three years later, he was risking his life as a paratrooper in a huge airborne battle over the Rhine. Although he is now in his 90s, Brian’s memories of wartime remain as vivid as ever.

Introducing

Old Comrades

Old Comrades is the new online community designed exclusively for retired British Veterans to connect and reconnect over shared interests and experience, while discovering a local veteran community.

A group of costumed re-enactors stand together with a horse-drawn carriage at the newly renovated Soane Stable Yard

Discover the Soane Stable Yard

The Soane Stable Yard is an all-new visitor attraction set in the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

Eminent architect Sir John Soane designed and built the new yard between 1814-17. It has been refurbished over the last three years thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund with support from other benefactors and charitable trusts.

Chelsea Pensioners Salutes at The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Our Pensioners

The Nation's Iconic Army Veterans

The Chelsea Pensioners are the iconic faces of the British Army's veteran community. They reside at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, their home since 1692, founded by King Charles II in, what was then, the village of Chelsea. 

Any former soldier of the British Army over the age of 65, who is facing spending their advanced years alone, can apply for residence at the Royal Hospital as a Chelsea Pensioner.

Chelsea Pensioner standing alongside a decorated British Military veteran

Royal Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea Pensioners Veterans Outreach

The Chelsea Pensioner Veterans Outreach programme operates from facilities here at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and aims to provide comradeship and a sense of community to retired veterans of the three Armed Services and Merchant Navy, who might benefit from the company of other veterans.

What we do

Cannon Image

300 Veterans

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is home to nearly 300 Chelsea Pensioners who have previously served in the British Army and have reached State Pension age.

line drawing of the chapel

February 1692

Founded by King Charles II for those ‘broken by age or war’, the Royal Hospital opened its door to the first Chelsea Pensioners on 4th February 1692.

Poppy Image

11th November

the Royal Hospital supports retired veterans throughout the UK through our Veterans Outreach programme. We also remember and commemorate all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.