London

Visit Trafalgar Square and its famous Nelson’s Column

Like any big city, London has its own symbolic square. That in which all public events seem to be organized, where the demonstrations begin or end and a place of obligatory passage for its inhabitants and visitors.

Trafalgar Square is located in the heart of London next to Charing Cross station, and is undoubtedly the most important public space in the city center.

A must-see place for tourists since it contains, in addition to the famous Nelson’s Column, the National Gallery, the most important art gallery in the country.

What to see in Trafalgar Square

London - National GalleryTrafalgar Square has a rectangular shape and is attached to the entrance of the National Gallery

From there we can see a spectacular panoramic view with Big Ben in the background, through some large stairs.

London - Trafalgar SquareIn the center of it is the Column of Nelson, admiral responsible for the victory in the Battle of Trafalgar and who died in it.

The column has four bronze lions at its base, supposedly from French cannons, and ornamental fountains on both sides of it.

At each of its four corners are four plinths intended to serve as statuary bases, but only three of them are occupied indefinitely by George IV, Charles James Napier, and Henry Havelock.

The one in the northwest corner has temporarily housed works of art of all kinds for a few years.

In front of the National Gallery there are also two other statues, James II and George Washington are the chosen ones this time.

In the same square we can visit, in addition to the National Gallery that has been mentioned many times, both for its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the National Portrait Gallery, or the crypt of the Church of St Martin’s-in-the-Fields. Several embassies such as Canada or South Africa are also located in the square.

Surroundings of Trafalgar Square

London - Admiralty ArchDue to its strategic position, the square is a perfect meeting or reference point to visit nearby places.

From its southern end we can walk through Whitehall towards the Houses of Parliament, during this walk we can enjoy incredible buildings.

We can also admire monuments in honor of those who fell in the various battles in which the British Empire was immersed, or browse number 11 Downing Street, home of the British Prime Minister.

Also from the south of the square but heading west through the Admiralty Arch we face The Mall, a wide boulevard that reaches Buckingham Palace.

If instead of history and culture we look directly for the fun of London, about 10 minutes walk we will find Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus and the West End, it all depends on leaving the northeast or northwest corner respectively.

How to get to Trafalgar Square

The nearest Tube station is Charing Cross. Embankment and Leicester Square are also very close. You can also get there by bus thanks to lines 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and 453.

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