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The
best known square in London honours one of England's heroes, Nelson.
Nelson died in 1805 in the battle of Trafalgar, and the square commemorates
this.
The square is dominated by by the 145 foot granite Nelson's column.
At the base are a set of giant Lion statues. Other lesser statues
are dotted around the rather barren, paved square.
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The
square is a centre for political demonstrations that still regularly
occur today. The Square also is the main point in London for new year
celebrations and is the image transmitted around the world of London
celebrating a new year in.
There is little to actually do on Trafalgar Square, the Square is
little more than a large traffic island. The Square is infamous for
the swarms of pigeons. You will usually find tourists in the square
posing for photographs with several pigeons perched on their body
lured by tit bits.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square was built between 1827 and 1835. The dominant feature
is Nelson's Column, in honour to the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar
in 1805. The column was completed in 1843 and Nelson faces in the
direction of Plymouth. Nelson is surrounded by statues of lions. There
is a government bunker directly underneath Nelsons Column, installed
in the 1950s in preparation for nuclear war.
Other statues include Charles I, George IV, Admiral Beatty, Admiral
Cunningham, Admiral Jellico, General Napier and General Havelock.
A planned statue of William IV never happened and the plinth is used
for contemporary pieces, arguably out of place with those all around
it.
National Gallery
Dominating the northern side of Trafalgar Square the National Gallery
is one of London's largest and most impressive art galleries. Around
the corner of the building is the National Portrait Gallery. Both
have free admission.
We have a dedicated page for the National
Gallery
St Martin in the Fields
On the eastern side of Trafalgar Square a church has stood since the
13th century when it was reachable only by walking across fields.
The current church was built around 1726 and was used as a reference
for American Pioneers resulting in near replicas throughout New England.
Today St Martins also contains a cafe, bookshop, homeless shelter,
craft market and the London Brass Rubbing Centre. Lunchtime and evening
classical music is also often played.
Admiralty Arch
At the south western corner of Trafalgar Square is The Mall, a long
straight and wide boulevard that connects Trafalgar Square with Buckingham
Palace through St James Park. At the entrance to the Mall from Trafalgar
Square is Admiralty Arch, a grand imposing Arch built in 1911 as a
memorial to Queen Victoria. Today it houses government apartments
and offices.
Whitehall
At the southern exit to Trafalgar Square is Whitehall. It is from
this junction that all distances to London are measured from. Whitehall
is again a long straight and wide road connecting Trafalgar Square
with Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Whitehall is lined
with government offices, including 10 Downing Street.
Getting
to Trafalgar Square:
The
nearest London Underground station to Trafalgar Square is Charing
Cross on the Northern and Bakerloo Lines. Also convenient is
Leicester Square just north of Trafalgar Square.
As Trafalgar Square is geographically the centre of London,
sooner or later you will pass through or around it. |
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The
very popular hop
on, hop off London tour buses of course also stop at Trafalgar
Square.
Just to the north and east of Trafalgar Square is the main Theatre
District around Leicester Square and Covent Garden which come
alive in the evening. To the south and south west of Trafalgar
Square is Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, 10
Downing Street and many more, crammed with visitors during the
daytime. |
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| Self
Guided London Icons Walk Including Trafalgar Square |
Join
us on our step by step self guided walking tour of London's main tourist
icons.
Includes Big Ben, London Eye, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham
Palace, Westminster Abbey and much, much more.
Simple to follow instructions and street map and best of all its FREE!
London
Icons Walk Details |
Trafalgar
Square Fountains & National Gallery |
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