Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is located in the historic center of London, in Westminster. In terms of popularity with tourists and importance for the British themselves, this object is comparable to the Russian Red Square. Not the most beautiful, but certainly majestic and spacious Trafalgar Square is multifunctional: here people relax, get acquainted with works of classical and modern art, watch sporting events and movie premieres, celebrate Christmas and New Year, hold rallies and protests.

• History of Trafalgar Square
• Architectural features of Trafalgar Square
• Cultural sites in the vicinity of Trafalgar Square
• Trafalgar Square at Christmas time
• Other holidays in Trafalgar Square
• Tourist information

History of Trafalgar Square

Monuments in the corners of the square

In the southwest corner of Trafalgar Square is a statue of General Charles Napier, who successfully fought in India and Pakistan. A statue of Major General Henry Havelock, who suppressed a rebellion in India, occupies a pedestal in the southeast corner, near the entrance to the Underground. At the northeast end of the square is an equestrian statue of George IV. The fourth pedestal has long remained empty.

The mystery of the fourth pedestal

Londoners refused on principle to have historical figures in an unoccupied corner of the square. In their opinion, there is enough heroics in the modern world. As a result, every one or two years, the sculpture on the pedestal is replaced by a new one, and no one cares about the fact that it stylistically does not fit into the architectural landscape. Originally there was a bust of Alison Lapper, expecting a child – the Venus of Milos of our time. The artist was born without hands, but thanks to her unique willpower and diligence she achieved professional success. Then a screamingly bright model of a hotel made of colored glass appeared on the pedestal. During the next project for a hundred days Londoners played the role of statues, freezing on the pedestal for one hour. They were successively replaced by a Plexiglas bottle with a model of Nelson’s ship with motley sails, a bronze boy on a toy horse as a symbol of heroism of growing up, a blue rooster as a sign of rebirth. Since 2015, the monument has been a cheerful skeleton of a horse with a dyspel ribbon tied to its front leg, receiving a broadcast from the London Stock Exchange. On March 5, 2016, it was replaced by a bronze depiction of a human hand with a 10-meter-long thumb raised upward.

Cultural sites around Trafalgar Square

When planning a visit to Trafalgar Square, tourists tend to look at nearby attractions such as National Gallery, St. Martin’s Church in the Fields, and Admiralty Arch.

London’s National Gallery

Admiralty Arch

Outside the square, just south of Nelson’s Column, are an equestrian statue of Prince Albert and a monument to Charles I. Leading from here to the Mall is the mighty Admiralty Arch, built in the early twentieth century in honor of Queen Victoria. Originally, members of the War Ministries did sit here, but since 2013 the Treasury has decided to get rid of the cost of maintaining the giant structure. The arch was given on a century-old lease to a Spanish entrepreneur to organize a fashionable hotel and private club.

Trafalgar Square at Christmas time

It is in Trafalgar Square that the country’s main Christmas tree is erected. Since 1947, the giant tree has been brought in from Norway as a token of appreciation for aid during the Second World War. In November, the 20-meter tree is ceremonially cut down in a forestry near Oslo in the presence of the British Ambassador, the Mayor of the Norwegian capital and the Lord Mayor of Westminster and taken by sea to London. The tree is set up in Trafalgar Square, and on the first Thursday in December the Christmas lights – 500 white bulbs, as is customary in Norway – are ceremoniously lit. The ceremony is accompanied by a choir of a thousand participants. The installation is not without incidents: a mentally unstable citizen tries to cut the trunk with a chainsaw and the tree has to be hastily reconstructed, or political activists chain themselves to the tree in protest. Despite the minor mishaps, the Christmas tree is enjoyed by Londoners and tourists until January 6, then it is let for recycling.

Other celebrations in Trafalgar Square

Tourist information

Buses on nearly 20 routes stop right at the eastern end of Trafalgar Square. At the southeast corner is the entrance to Charing Cross tube station on the Bakerloo and Northern line.

Feeding the birds

Trafalgar Square has a seemingly curios ban on feeding pigeons. The borough’s administration, however, had little to laugh about when they had to budget £140,000 to clean the droppings from Nelson’s Column. In 2000, traders in stalls on the square were banned from selling bird food to tourists, and then began issuing fines for feeding pigeons with food brought with them. Those fighting the bans still found, so the authorities increased the fine to 500 pounds.

Where to eat

The tourist infrastructure in Trafalgar Square is well thought out. During daylight hours, water and bakery stalls are set up around the corners, albeit at crazy prices. Dozens of cafes and restaurants are open within walking distance. Right in London’s National Gallery, the National Café with a European menu is open from 8-9 to 11 p.m., and until 6 p.m. on Sunday. The National Dining Rooms with English cuisine is also in huge demand here. Seats in this dining room-restaurant are usually booked in advance. The original cafe is opened in the crypt of St. Martin’s Church. There are no more burials here, and jazz concerts are held under the gloomy vaults of the dungeon.

The English offerings end here: other places offer national cuisine from around the world. These include PizzaExpress on the Strand, Italian restaurants Prezzo, Little Frankie’s, Mexican Tortilla, and Thai Square in the Coxper Street neighborhood. Drinks and light snacks can be had at The Admiralty pub, Vista Bar, and Caffè Nero coffee shop.

Shopping in Trafalgar Square

The gift store is open in the National Gallery. It sells soft toys, puzzles, T-shirts and books for children, and luxury art publications. Pictures you like from the permanent exhibition can be printed in any format. There is a Waterstones bookshop on the Strand side and a Tesco department store on the Whitehall side.