Trafalgar Square in London, London — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Trafalgar Square is the symbolic heart of London and one of the most visited public spaces in the world. Named after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the square was designed by John Nash and built in the 1830s and 1840s. The centrepiece is Nelson's Column, a 169-foot granite column topped with a statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died during his victory at Trafalgar. The column was erected between 1840 and 1843. The four bronze lions at its base were added in 1867, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer. There's a popular story that Landseer used a dead lion from London Zoo as his model and took so long sculpting them that the body began to decompose, which is why the lions' paws look more like a cat's than a lion's. The square is flanked by the National Gallery to the north and St Martin-in-the-Fields church to the east, with views stretching down Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament. The Fourth Plinth, in the northwest corner, has hosted a rotating series of contemporary art installations since 1999. During World War II, Hitler reportedly planned to relocate Nelson's Column to Berlin after a successful invasion of Britain. Today, Trafalgar Square hosts everything from political rallies to Christmas celebrations, New Year's Eve countdowns, and cultural festivals. It's free and open 24 hours a day. If you're on a Questo quest through Westminster, Trafalgar Square is a crossroads where history, art, and city life all meet.