Trafalgar Square

Resting at the heart of London, amidst the bustling town of Westminster, lies the country's most notable landmark, Trafalgar Square. Constructed in 1840, the Square is not only a popular tourist attraction but is also an iconic landmark glorifying the city's rich heritage, history, and culture. Explore this iconic site as part of our Europe trip packages, ensuring an enriching travel experience.

From Buckingham Palace and the London Eye to the verdant gardens of St. James's Park, the city's most renowned monuments and destinations are located just a stroll away from the Square. Pearly white fountains are flowing with turquoise water form a decent spot for resting quietly as you admire the intricate sculptures of gorgeous mermaids and fishes carved at the outline.

Bronze statues of four majestic lions glistening in the bright sun form the periphery around the tall facade of Nelson Column. Commemorating the valor displayed by British troops in the Battle of Trafalgar, it celebrates the victory of Britain over Spanish and French forces. With the National Gallery in its north and Northumberland Avenue in its south, Trafalgar Square is the best spot to witness the lively and boisterous city life of London.

• Gaze up at Nelson’s column, the centerpiece of Trafalgar Square. It honors the victory of the Battle of Trafalgar, including 16 feet’s tall status of naval hero.
• Click a selfie with Trafalgar Lions, these four bronze lion statues were added in 1867 by Sir Edward Landseer.
• Gather around two spectacular Trafalgar fountains, which were added in 1845. In the 1930s, the fountain ware was redesigned, including new centerpieces of tritons, mermaids, and dolphins.
• Spot the four plinths at the corners of the square. Three of them support bronze statues of King George IV, Major General Sir Henry Havelock, and General Sir Charles James Napier. The fourth one supports contemporary artworks.
• Do not miss the police box of Trafalgar Square London. It is the smallest police station in London
• Enjoy drinks at pubs and bars, which can be found in the adjoining streets of the square.
• You can taste unique cocktails and a complete panoramic view from the rooftop of some restaurants.

The mild weather of spring, i.e., from March to April, and the falls, i.e., from mid-September to November is considered to be the best time to visit Trafalgar square London. Trafalgar Square is open 24x7 so that you can visit it at your convenience. The shops and other activities in this place can also be enjoyed at any time of the day.

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History of Trafalgar Square

Formerly the King’s Mews, Trafalgar Square has an incomparably rich history. It became a noted site in the 13th century, during Edward I’s reign where it was commonly known as Royal Mews. It stayed that way for many other rulers who came into power but an unfortunate fire assisted in the reconstruction of the mews and this time it was given the formation of stables.

In 1826 plans for clearing and redevelopment of a major part of the site came forward headed by John Nash. But John Nash’s untimely death left the construction of this iconic site incomplete for a while. The construction again started post his demise and the square was decided to be named after the victory in the Battle of Trafalgar.

After John Nash’s death William Wilkins was brought on board for the construction of Trafalgar Square. William designed the national gallery built on the northern side of the square but he too, unfortunately, passed away before his plans could be officially accepted. A few weeks later, Charles Barry was called upon and his plans were accepted with immediate effect.

The square officially opened in 1844, after considerable changes were made in the national gallery. Although part of the design wasn’t completed until 1867, a statue named Nelson’s Column was erected in 1843 which was planned independently from the square. Some major changes took place in an eighteen-month redevelopment which wrapped up in 2003. The construction led by W.S. Atkins incorporated public toilets, café, and 2 lifts.

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Places to Eat in Trafalgar Square

Serving the finest tastes from exquisite gourmet are the following restaurants near Trafalgar Square.

1. Café on the Square -

This is a beautiful café with outside chairs and tables, providing a beautiful view along with delicious food. Serving home-made sandwiches and cakes, the menu offers traditional café fares.

Location: Charing Cross

Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

2. Café in the Crypt -

This is an exquisite hidden café inside the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Field Church serving food buffet style. The food here is great in taste and light on the pocket.

Location: Trafalgar Square

Timings:

- Monday – Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM

- Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

3. Tandoor Chop House -

This part British – part north Indian restaurant serves mouthwatering meat dishes made with Indian spices in traditional tandoor ovens. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ambience and delicious food with friends and family.

Location: 8 Adelaide St

Timing: Noon – 11:30 PM

Places to Stay near Trafalgar Square

Numerous star rated as well as affordable luxurious accommodations are easily available around Trafalgar Square. Here are some of the best picks. 

1. Strand Palace Hotel -

The closest hotel to some of the best sightseeing spots in London, Strand Palace Hotel has numerous rooms with an opulent modern decor. The hotel has its fitness centre, bar, snacks bar and a coffee shop. 

Location: 372 Strand

Distance: 0.3 km

2. Club Quarters Hotel -

This Victorian-style property was originally the Northumberland House and was later renovated into a contemporary hotel. It has classic rooms and luxurious suites. 

Location: 8 Northumberland Avenue, Westminster

Distance: 0.4 km

3. Thistle Piccadilly Hotel -

Located just a stone's throw from top restaurants in the city, Thistle Piccadilly Hotel is a popular pick to stay near the Square. It has spacious suites equipped with fully stocked minibars and coffee machines. It also has a workout room and sauna.  

Location: Coventry Street

Distance: 0.4 km

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Statues and Foundations at Trafalgar Square

When visiting Trafalgar Square, keep your eyes open for the following statues and landmarks.

1. Nelson's Column -

Built atop a bronze platform, this historic memorial was constructed in 1843 to honour the valor displayed by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar. Hence, this 52 m column has a stone figure of Lord Nelson on its top.  

2. Landseer Lions -

Named after their sculpture Edwin Landseer, the four majestic bronze lions symbolize power and strength of Lord Nelson. 

3. Fountains -

With intricate sculptures of mermaids and dolphins outlining the periphery, the beautiful fountains of this Square are filled with crystal clear water. 

4. Bronze Statues -

There are three notable statues on plinths located in Trafalgar Square. In the northeast corner is a statue of King George IV sculpted by Sir Francis Chantrey. In the southwest corner, there is the statue of General Sir Charles James Napier while in the southeastern corner, there is Major General Henry Havelock.

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Travellers’ Tip before Visiting Trafalgar Square

A heads-up about some important tips to keep in mind before visiting London's most notable Square. 

- Though pigeons used to rest here in thousands, there are close to no pigeons in the Square now. But even if you spot any, do not feed them as it has been banned and is heavily fined.

- Respect the historical importance of the lions and click pictures only from a distance. Avoid climbing on these statues as it can cause irreversible damage to the sculptures.

- Though there is no entry fee for the Square, the public restrooms in the area have some charges and are open for a limited time only.

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You can reach Trafalgar Square in less than 30 minutes from the City Centre by cab or taxi. You can reach Trafalgar Square in 30 minutes even with public transport which makes it just as good of an alternative. The time taken in all 4 routes is 30-35 minutes so one can choose whichever route they want.

1. A walk to Bethnal Green station and a ride on Central sub from there would land you at Oxford Circus Underground station. From there, Charing Cross station is just a ride on Bakerloo sub away from Oxford Circus Underground Station. A minute walk from there would get you to renowned Trafalgar Square.

2. This route goes through Holborn station which can be reached by taking a Central sub from Bethnal Green station. You can board the Piccadilly sub from there to reach Leicester Square station, which is a 5-minute walk away from Trafalgar Square.

3. Yet another route consisting of Central sub goes through Tottenham Court station from Bethnal Green station. A short ride on the Northern sub would get you to Charing Cross station. A hop, skip, and a jump, and you’ll find yourself in front of Trafalgar Square.

4. You can also walk straight from Tottenham Court station to Trafalgar square if you want to absorb the city of central London. It might be more than just a short stroll for some people, so you should be prepared to walk for more than 10 minutes.

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