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Trafalgar Square

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akakd
akakd
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Editor Pick

Trafalgar Square

  • April 22, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by callen60 from Ozarks, Missouri
Trafalgar Square

I’m not alone in picking this as one of my favorite places in London. Particularly after walking the narrow, claustrophobic side streets (or even the wider Strand), the open space here is exhilarating. Admiral Nelson sits atop his column at the south edge, so high up (150 feet) that he might only be a natural part of your experience if you’re back by the National Gallery on the Square’s northern edge. Otherwise, you’ll be craning your neck to see him. He’s amply guarded by a quartet of dark, metal 20-foot lions. The square honors his most famous victory at Trafalgar in 1805, which saved Britain from invasion in the Napoleonic wars, but cost Nelson his life.

The current version of the Square was assembled and renovated in pieces. It sits at Charing Cross, the junction of the Strand and Whitehall. This was the site of one of 12 Eleanor crosses erected by Edward I. These marked the spots where his beloved wife’s body rested each night as he returned her to London after her death near Lincoln in 1290. John Nash, author of Regent’s Park, was hired by the same client to renovate this area, and Charles Barry completed his work in 1845.

Admiral Nelson arrived in 1846, his 18-foot statue topping the granite pillar. Twenty years later, Landseer’s lions took up their positions around the Admiral. Behind him is a pair of fountains, renovated just before World War II. St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields is in the northeast corner, and at the north edge of the square leads into the steps to the National Gallery, which despite its dome, seems not quite up to the task of framing the square.

Around the edges, Canada House and South Africa House help close the loop. The whole square tilts gently upwards towards the north, where—following the most recent renovation—a new set of stairs ascends to the National Gallery (where, in an odd pairing, James II and George Washington stand on the lawn).

Long before the Square existed, Edward’s original cross was replaced by a statue of Charles I (poor trade, I say), who still sits at the south end of the square. He’s not the only equestrian in the area: four plinths sit more or less in the corners of the square, the one occupied by George IV. Two generals from the India wars sit on other plinths. The northwest, or fourth plinth, sat empty for years, after plans for a statue of William IV fell apart (the square was originally to be named in his honor). A rotating set of pieces has occupied it since then, the most recent being a work of parallel, brightly colored Plexiglas planes by Thomas Schuette entitled Model for a Hotel 2007. I liked it, but had some trouble reconciling it with its surroundings.

Especially now that Mayor Ken Livingstone drove off the pigeons, this is a great place to hang out. We were handicapped on our second attempt to do so by the rainy weather, and congregated under a bus stop while we waited for our bus to the British Museum. It’s a great place at night, too, and has people passing through or sitting still at all hours of the day.

If you’re looking for places to eat in the area, there are a few choices nearby. We had dinner one night at a Pret on the south side of the Square. On a previous visit, we lucked into The Chandos Pub off the southeast corner. Café in the Crypt is in the basement of St. Martin’s in the Fields, in the northeast corner. We stopped in there for a late afternoon snack. The National Gallery has a café at the east end (where we had afternoon tea), and the National Dining Rooms in the western Salisbury Wing.

From journal London, Free and Easy

Trafalgar Square - Cartoon Protest

  • November 19, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jim Rosenberg from Wausau, Wisconsin
Trafalgar Square - Cartoon Protest

Trafalgar Square has been a landmark in London since the 1800s. It commemorates a famous victory of the Royal Navy in the war against Napoleon in 1805. The the tall monument that is a prominent feature of the square is Nelson's Column. It was completed in 1843 in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who lost his life in the Battle of Trafalgar. The column is a little more than 150 feet tall and it is topped by and 18-foot tall statue of Nelson.

Over the years, the square has been the site of many political demonstrations. I was able to be there for a large protest of Muslims in February 2006 after the Islamic world became offended by some cartoons that first ran in a Danish newspaper which were regarded as an insult to the prophet Mohammed. Thousands of protesters descended on the square, with many arriving by bus. The demonstration was peaceful and well-organized. The organizers provided ready-made signs and protesters were barred from bringing their own -- presumably to keep a lid on inflammatory rhetoric.

London has been the site of terrorist incidents and during my visit, some tube stations in the central city still bore obvious scars from a bombing that took place in July 2005, killing 52 people. Trafalgar Square was the site of a large vigil after that incident, too.

While I recommend visiting the square because it is an interesting and historic place in London's history and present, I offer this entry mainly to give these photos of the cartoon protest a place to reside.

From journal London: Quick, Easy & On Budget

Trafalgar Square

  • August 17, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by amber02 from chicago, Illinois
This is one of the most beautiful places to be in London. It's located very central, close to many little cafes, shops, and museums. It's easy to access right off the Tube. The square itself is a nice place to just hang out. There are some nice fountains there where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery. The scenery here includes many people, a bustling road, and a bunch of pigeons!

From journal A Trip to London

Editor Pick

Trafalgar and Leicester Squares to Piccadilly

  • May 23, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by captain kait from Houghton, New York
Trafalgar and Leicester Squares to Piccadilly

At first, it is sometimes hard to realize the layout of London’s popular sights, but instead of taking the Tube or a bus to each of these three popular destinations, see them all at once and take in the heart of London’s West End. Start in Trafalgar Square, home to the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, and St. Martin’s-in-the-Field. Relax by the blue fountains and watch the kids climb on the lion statues, take in centuries’ worth of classic artwork (for free), or have a bite at the Café in the Crypt. Watch for the special treat of the hawk and his keeper, who come to keep the pigeon population under control.

Head around the right side of the National Gallery, past the entrance to the National Portrait Gallery, and keep to left. You’ll soon be in a wide corridor leading onto the south side of Leicester (say Less-ter) Square. The small green space here is always bustling during the day, as the huge cinemas and nightclubs are at night. Stop at the TKTS booth to get bargain tickets for tonight's shows. If you're lucky, you might chance by on the day of a special event. I ended up watching the celebrity arrivals at two different movie premiers when I happened to stop by.

Walk around past McDonald’s and you’ll soon be headed into the famous Piccadilly Circus, London’s rival to New York’s Times Square. Find a seat around the base of Eros or shop in the tourist-friendly Trocadero before an evening at one of the nearby theatres. For a quick and easy meal, I recommend the nearby falafel and kebab stands (look for huge skewers of meat revolving as the carvers slice off your dinner). Explore from here out into Chinatown and Soho, travel up to Oxford Circus, or head back to Covent Garden. If you have lots of time and healthy legs, start at Big Ben and walk up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square – you’ll pass the Royal Horse Guards and others along the way. The possibilities are endless!

From journal Walking London

Trafalgar Square

  • October 8, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by charolastra24 from Hampden, Maine
Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar can be summed up in two words - pigeons and people! I've never seen so many pigeons in one place, and there seem to be nearly as many people often times!

Trafalgar is a bevy of important historical sights, monuments, art museums, and churches, not to mention a crossroads for heading off into other parts of London. Lord Nelson's Column is here, commemorating the brilliant naval commander, as is Admiralty Arch (same reason). The Academy of St. Martins-in-the-Fields is off to one end, and the National Gallery looms and stands watch over the Square. It's a fun place to stumble across, and even more fun to hang out at, to relax for a few minutes, and people-watch. It's boisterous, but not in a crazy way like Piccadilly - more like in a joie de vivre sort of sense.

From journal Tea on the Thames

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