Pictures of Trafalgar Square

in the town of London, in the county of Greater London

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About Trafalgar Square

Perhaps the best known square in the world, and the place where pigeons often used to outnumber people. Certainly no pigeons were more photographed than those fluttering around the square, particularly if they chance to be around Nelson's Column. However, the birds were thought to be a blight and are almost gone. The great column with its four lions designed by Victorian painter Landseer, was laid out in memory of Nelson and his famous victories. The column was completed in 1841, quite early in the reign of Queen Victoria, but the fountains did not come until the 20th-century, they were added in 1948.

The square is bounded on all sides by some of the busiest streets of London, it is the junction of The Strand, The Mall, Whitehall and Charing Cross Road. Beside the main attraction which is the square's centre, it is surrounded by some of London's finest buildings. The National Gallery is situated on the north side of Trafalgar Square, this was designed by William Wilkins, it was completed in 1837 and opened in 1838. The square is part of the essence of cultural London with an unparalleled number of museums and galleries showing some of the greatest art treasures in the land.

Statues in the square include Charles I, this was originally cast in bronze in 1633 since then it has had a somewhat chequered history, most latterly it was moved to Mentmore in Buckinghamshire for the duration of World War II, and was replaced in 1947. The statue of James II is usually regarded as one of the finest in London, it was made by Grinling Gibbons, showing the King in the costume of a Roman.

Trafalgar Square frequently host the nation's celebratory events. In recent times it has been the scene of triumph for the British Rugby World Cup win, and for the English Cricket Team's victory over Australia when they home the famous ashes. On both occasions hundreds packed the square to welcome home our hero's.

Each Christmas a giant Christmas Tree is lit in Trafalgar Square, this is in the gift of the people of Norway to the people of London, it is a lasting tradition of thanks by the Norwegians for support during World War II. The tree remains illuminated until the end of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas.

On New Year's Eve revellers cram into the square for the traditional chiming of Big Ben which heralds the dawning of the turn of the year. This is a time of great merriment, when some of the crowd get a traditional soaking under the fountain.

Trafalgar Square continues to be one of London's most visited places, it draws millions of tourists each year who are attracted not just by its famous statues, buildings and fountains, but for its special atmosphere. It has seen many famous people, given a stage for great events. Trafalgar Square is part of the heart-beat of our proud heritage, long may it continue to be so.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Trafalgar Square

National Gallery London	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)	Pictures
Admiralty Arch	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)	Pictures
Cleopatra's Needle, London	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)	Pictures
Royal Opera House	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
Green Park	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
Westminster Abbey	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
St James's Palace	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
Faraday Museum	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Royal Institution of Great Britain	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
London Eye	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures

All attractions in Greater London
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Trafalgar Square

London, a Historic City in the county of Greater London (0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
London is one of the World's most exciting, cultural destinations where visitors can walk with history whilst enjoying all that is best of modern day facilities, shops, theatres...
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Piccadilly, in the county of Greater London (0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
One of the Capital's most noted places, Piccadilly sweeps uphill with handsome houses on one side and Green Park on the other.
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Westminster, in the county of Greater London (0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Of all the jewels in the City of Westminster, none shines more brightly than Westminster Abbey, stunning setting for the coronation of almost every English monarch since William the Conqueror was crowned there in 1066.
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Mayfair, in the county of Greater London (0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Mayfair has it all, it is the haunt of the rich and famous, with elegant houses and apartment buildings that are the sole province of the wealthy.
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Marylebone, in the county of Greater London (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NW)
Marylebone is one of London's more affluent area's, it is home mostly to the well to do, and yet only a couple of centuries ago a large workhouse was built here to give shelter to the poor and homeless, often foundlings were discovered on the workhouse doorstep.
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St Pancras, in the county of Greater London (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction N)
The name of the area is taken from the boy martyred in AD 304. Pancras was the orphaned Christian son of a Phrygian nobleman who was brought up at the court of the Emperor in Rome.
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Camden Town, in the county of Greater London (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction N)
Camden town is a vibrant cosmopolitan region of London.
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Chelsea, in the county of Greater London (2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction SW)
Chelsea is a district in London which in recent times gained fame as the 'home' of the 'swinging sixties' . The swinging sixties was defined on the Kings Road, which runs the length of the area and both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones lived here at one time.
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Kensington, in the county of Greater London (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction W)
The attractive Royal borough of Kensington has many special places. Most prominent is Kensington Palace, birthplace of Queen Victoria.
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Notting Hill, in the county of Greater London (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction W)
This area of London is known throughout the world as the scene of London's biggest annual street party.
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All towns in Greater London
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Charing Cross Station	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Leicester Square Tube Station	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Charing Cross Tube Station	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Waterloo Station	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
M1 Junction 1	(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NW)
M4 Junction 1	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction E)
London Heathrow Airport	(14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction W)

Accommodation & Hotels near Trafalgar Square

Hotel Name
Thistle Trafalgar Square	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Radisson Edwardian Hampshire	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Club Quarters Trafalgar Square	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Thistle Piccadilly	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
St Martins Lane	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Thistle Charing Cross	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Thistle Royal Horseguards	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Piccadilly Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Citadines Apart'hotel Trafalgar	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts