Welcome to our heritage site.
Delve into the rich history that makes Wellington College unique.
Wellington College opened in 1859 as a national memorial to Arthur, Duke of Wellington, and was seen by Albert, the Prince Consort, as an opportunity to promote a modern, forward-looking education system in Britain. These factors alone give Wellington a unique identity and place in history.
Since then, Wellington has expanded into one of Britain’s leading independent schools, developing its own rich traditions and distinctive character. Here on our heritage website, you can explore our story through our cherished collections of archives and artefacts, plus films, podcasts, written accounts and more. In particular, the website is home to our ‘Wellington Through the Decades’ project, an ambitious attempt to record the authentic Wellington student experience over half a century, through the first-hand accounts of our alumni.
Latest
Three new pages looking at how visitors and special events enlivened College life in the 1940s and 1950s
Coming soon
More Decades pages and a Wellington College bibliography