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.

What would you like to explore?

WELLINGTON THROUGH THE DECADES

An ambitious project to document the Wellington student experience in the twentieth century, using the recollections of the students themselves.

FILMS FROM THE COLLEGE

Explore historic archive footage of Wellington College, plus online talks, interviews and chats featuring our history which the Wellington Community has hosted in recent years.

PODCASTS

In podcasts first recorded for DukeBox, the Wellington College radio station, Archivist Caroline Jones examines an eclectic mix of topics from College history.

EXHIBITIONS

Physical exhibitions at College are short-lived, but here we recreate some of them, allowing you to explore a variety of topics through the medium of our collections.