Trafalgar Square, London

Trafalgar Square in London is one of the most recognisable places in the world and a great place to spend some London time. Nelson's Column is undoubtably the focal point of the square, standing at 145 feet tall, it provides a fitting monument to Britain's greatest naval hero. London's most famous square was designed by John Nash, but there have been various additions at different times over the years. The fountains were added in 1845 and their mermaids and dolphins in 1920. Edwin Landseer's lions were put in place to guard the base of Nelson's column in 1868. The bronze bas-reliefs around the lower part of the monument depict some of Nelson's famous maritime victories (Battles of St. Vincent, Copenhagen, the Nile and death scene from the Victory and are cast from cannon captured by Nelson). Nelson is the height of three men at the top of his great column and is said to face his right in salute to his fleet which is represented by effigies of his ships which adorn the lights lining The Mall. The four corner pedestals boast two soldiers and a king - George IV and the commanders Major General Sir Henry Havelock and General Sir Charles Napier. The remaining plinth on the North-Western corner is still vacant at the present time and waiting for a hero. It has been the temporary home of three modern sculptures, including Rachel Whiteread's "Plinth".   >

Trafalgar Square highlights

Trafalgar Square is bordered by Admiralty Arch in the southwest corner which leads into the Mall. To the south is the fine statue of King Charles I on horseback looking down Whitehall to where his scaffold stood and to the east is the lovely church of St-Martin-in-the Fields with its tall spire. The National Gallery is on the north side of the square, Canada House on the west side and the stately South Africa House and the Strand to the east. In 2003 the redevelopment of the north side of Trafalgar Square was completed. The work involved demolishing part of the wall and building a wide set of stairs. The new stairs lead to a large terrace or piazza in front of the National Gallery, in what was previously a busy road. The pedestrianisation of the Square has been a huge success and the Square is now a wonderful place to spend time, relax, people-watch and wile away some time on a nice, sunny day. Many visitors to Trafalgar Square, pass by London's smallest police station without even noticing. The light on the top of the box reputedly comes from HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship. Nearest Underground (tube) Station: Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) - entrance on Trafalgar Square. The following tube / London Underground Stations are just a short walk from Trafalgar Square: Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) Embankment (Bakerloo, Northern, District and Circle lines)