London’s top attractions - Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a major meeting point right in the middle of London for people, both Londoners and tourists, and roads. It’s always been an important location and has recently seen some major changes.

The Square in its present form was built in the 1840’s and the name was changed to Trafalgar Square from Royal Mews in honour of Britain’s defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The focal point of the square since 1842 has been Nelson’s Column, the 18ft statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, the victor at Trafalgar, on top of a 151ft column.
Four large lions designed by Edwin Landseer were added to guard the column in 1867 and ever since have provided the perfect photo oppurtunity for people to climb on.

On the northen side of the Square, facing Nelson’s back is the imposing building of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery with their huge collection of European art. In recent years the road running in front of the National Gallery has been pedestrianised and new steps added to link up with the Square. Drivers may not like it but its made the area much more user friendly for people on foot.

There are other notable buildings surrounding Trafalgar Square. On the eastern side is South Africa House, today home to the South African High Commissioner, but back in the Apartheid era when South Africa had left the Commonwealth it was the South African Embassy and the scene of major anti-apartheid protests in the UK. Nowadays there’s a campaign to erect a statue of Nelson Mandela on an empty plinth in Trafalgar Square.

The anti-apartheid demonstrations haven’t been the only protests the area has seen, in 1990 200,000 people converged on the Square marching against the Poll Tax and the riots that followed were some of the most violent Britain has seen. Trafalgar Square is usually the main gathering point for any large demonstration or organised protest in London, apart from parks there’s probably no area in central London that can fit in so many people.

Trafalgar Square is used to play host to many annual cultural events including Chinese New Year, St Patrick’s Day and Diwali celebrations and a three day summer festival. It’s where each December a 20m Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree, given since 1947 by the people of Norway for Britain’s for support in World War 2, is erected, lit and decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion. This year’s lighting ceremony takes place on December 7th. Caroling singing will also be taking place in the Square from 5-9pm each evening between December 11-23.

For years Trafalgar Square was London’s Times Sq on New Year’s Eve. Between 100-200,00 people gathering there, bringing their own booze and having a great time. Sadly the police decided to erect barriers, restrict numbers, ban the booze and turn off the fountains to stop people jumping in them.

On the West side of the Square is Canada House, home of the Canadian High Commission with Pall Mall East and Cockspur St running each side of it. Roads leading out of Trafalgar Sqaure also include Charing Cross Road going north to Leicester Sq, Whitehall directly south to all the government buildings including Downing Street and the Mall which passes through the magnificent Admiralty Arch southwest towards Buckingham Palace.

Unlike tourists one thing you won’t see as many of these days is pigeons. They used to be synonymous with Trafalgar Square but the Mayor of London banned licensed feed sellers in 2001 to try and get rid of the birds. Now there is agreement on a limited feed programme with campaigners. Map