Trafalgar Square/Nelson's Column Overview

The idea for Trafalgar Square, named after the famous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, was first proposed in 1812 by John Nash and the square lies in the centre of London, where the Strand from the City meets Whitehall. Nash was engaged by the Prince Regent in the 1820s to develop the area as part of the Charing Cross Improvement Scheme, though the present architecture is the work of Sir Charles Barry, who designed the Houses of Parliament, and was completed in 1845.

Trafalgar Square has traditionally been a popular place to stage political demonstrations and the square is watched over by Nelson’s Column, a key London landmark. The column was completed in 1844 to honour Admiral Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the lions at its base, by Sir Edwin Landseer, were installed in 1867. Towering over the square at 51.9 metres, the granite column is topped with an Edward Baily sandstone statue of Nelson and measures the same distance as that from the main masthead of the Victory to its quarterdeck.

Other famous sights in Trafalgar Square include the huge fountains and the four plinths, three of which feature bronze statues of General Sir Charles James Napier, Major General Sir Henry Havelock and King George IV. The Fourth Plinth remained empty for years, but is now used by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to showcase specially commissioned artworks and sculptures.

Trafalgar Square/Nelson's Column Location

Located in the heart of London, just a short walk from the famous South Bank, with its theatres, restaurants, galleries and the famous London Eye, Trafalgar Square itself is home to the National Gallery, the Cafe on the Square and is often used to stage sporting events, festivals, artistic performances, concerts and rallies.

The square can be easily reached by Tube, bus, taxi or on foot and provides a good place to start a sightseeing trip of London, given its proximity to a wealth of other tourist attractions, including the Houses of Parliament, the National Portrait Gallery, the Cenotaph at Whitehall, Soho, Someset House, Covent Garden and the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.

Why Visit Trafalgar Square/Nelson's Column

Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are iconic London landmarks and the square was recently included in the Film London Top 20 Locations. It has appeared in numerous movies and provides an excellent backdrop to photographs.

For visitors looking to find out more about the historic square and its monuments, there are dedicated Heritage Wardens on hand to answer questions and provide information about local attractions or facilities.

It is well worth checking on the GLA website to see if there are any events taking place in the square during your visit, with regular festivals held to mark St Patrick's Day, St George’' Day, Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year.

The square offers a wealth of interesting sculptural and architectural sights, many of which are familiar from pictures and books. Providing a starting point in the heart of the city from which to see London, no trip to the capital is complete without a stroll around Trafalgar Square.