Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is the second most visited square in central London. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar from 1805 (British victory during the Napoleonic wars). The current layout of the square dates back to the 19th century when it was designed by Charles Barry.
The square’s landmark the more than 50m tall Nelson’s column, surrounded by fountains and four bronze lion statues. At the top of the column, there is a statue of Admiral Nelson. The square is surrounded by roads from three sides, making it an important crossroad and traffic hub. On the north side, you can see the neoclassical building of the National Gallery, constructed in 1838, as well as the church St Martin-in-the-Fields. The square is known to be the location of many demonstrations, as well as a gathering point for fans during matches and sports events. In the past, the square used to be popular for its many pigeons, counting up to 35,000. However, due to health risks, feeding pigeons was forbidden 19 years ago, resulting in a significant decrease in their numbers. During Christmas, a spruce from Oslo decorates the square, as a symbol of gratitude for the support received in World War II. The tree is lit up by the mayor of the Norwegian capital. Many street artists gather on Trafalgar Square which has many restaurants and clubs. Some of the best rated ones include Beaufort Bar, American Bar, Radio Rooftop etc.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
The nearest stations to Trafalgar Square are:
- underground and bus station Charing Cross Station (Northern and Bakerloo lines)
- underground station Embankment (Circle and District lines)
- underground station Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines)
- bus station Trafalgar Square
- bus lines 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 13, 14, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 a 453
Opening hours and admission
The entry to Trafalgar Square is free of charge. The square is accessible round the clock.
Interesting facts about Trafalgar Square
The lion statues on Trafalgar Square were allegedly cast by melting cannons from French boats, captured during the famous battle. At every corner of the square, there are pedestals with statues – of George IV., Henry Havelock and sir Charles James Napier. The fourth pedestal at the north-eastern corner remains empty. Originally, it was dedicated to the statue of William IV., however, due to a lack of funds, this plan was abandoned.