Waterloo

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.

Read the story

Explore Waterloo stories

A soldier relating his exploits in a tavern, 1821

This painting depicts a Waterloo veteran regaling his fellow tavern-goers with tales of past glory. Here, we take a closer look to discover what the artwork tells us about soldiers and society in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars.

Dawn of Waterloo

This emotive oil painting is one of the highlights of our art collection. Details revealed during four months of specialist conservation have enhanced our understanding of the artist, Lady Butler, and her empathy for the ordinary soldier.

Coatee worn at Waterloo by Brigade-Major Thomas Noel Harris, 1815

Waterloo coatee’s provenance confirmed

In 2015, the National Army Museum was presented with a rare coatee worn by Major Thomas Harris at the Battle of Waterloo. A combination of historical evidence and modern forensic analysis was used to confirm its authenticity.

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.

Explore Waterloo events

Discussion

18 Jun 2025 £25.00

Napoleon: Man vs Myth

Join our panel of experts, including the co-editors of 'Napoleonic Objects and Their Afterlives', to get to the heart of who Napoleon Bonaparte really was.

Members Only

19 Jun 2025 FREE

Siborne Lecture: The Legacy of Waterloo

Join us for the annual Siborne Lecture at the National Army Museum, in partnership with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), exploring the history and culture of the Napoleonic Wars.

Talk

20 Jun 2025 FREE

No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One

Andrew Lambert discusses the impact Napoleon left on Anglo-European politics and how Britain worked to secure order in Europe.

Dance

21 Jun 2025 £65.00

Chelsea Waterloo Ball

Mark the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo by dancing the night away in Regency style in Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Great Hall.