| Trafalgar Square (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of the main London landmarks, and no visit to London is complete without seeing it. Situated in the heart of London's West End, Trafalgar Square forms a focal point for central London like no other. In fact, all distances to London are measured from Trafalgar Square and it is very much seen as the centre of the city, where the City of London meets the City of Westminster. It is overseen from the north side by the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. On the east side is St. Martin's in the Field Church and market. The centre of the square is dominated by Nelson's Column, on top of which a statue of Admiral Nelson looks over the London skyline.Both Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column were built around 1805 to commemorate the victory of the British Navy over the forces of Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar, during which Admiral Nelson was fatally wounded. Nelson's Column is 46m high made of white granite, and the 5.5m high statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson stands on the top facing south towards the Palace of Westminster.
The bronze leaves surrounding the top of the column were made from cannons. Four great victories of Nelson are depicted in the four bronze panels around the base of Nelson's Colum cast from captured French guns. The column is surrounded by bronze 4 crouching lions designed by Sir Edwin Landseer who, having never seen a real lion, gave them dogs paws by mistake. The are a popular climbing point for tourists wanting to be photographed.
Surrounding Nelson's Column are two great fountains collectively called The Trafalgar Square Fountain. The were added to the square in 1845 and the remodeled in 1939. The fountains contain bronzes of dolphins, mermen and mermaids. Playing in the fountains is discouraged. Trafalgar Square is also surrounded by 4 plinths containing various statues. Starting in the northeast, three of these plinths are occupied by statues of George IV, Henry Havelock, and Sir Charles James Napier. The fourth plinth in the northwest corner has held a changing array of modern works in recent years.
The northern edge of Trafalgar Square has been pedestrianised in recent years, allowing free access from the National Gallery to Trafalgar Square with ease. Many major roads lead into the square. Clockwise from the north Charring Cross runs down past Soho and Leicester Square. The Strand heads off East to the City of London past The Savoy and Somerset House. Whitehall runs south past the Admiralty Offices, Horse Guard’s and Downing Street to Parliament Square, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. Pall Mall runs east to St. James's Square. Admiralty Arch stands in the southwest corner of Trafalgar Square through which The Mall runs linking the square with St. James's Park and Buckingham Palace.
As can be seen, the number of attractions and important London landmarks in the area is enormous, earning Trafalgar Square an important place on the London itinerary. The nearest tube stations are Charring Cross and Leicester Square.