When looking for free things to do in London, no visit is complete without spending time in Trafalgar Square.
The square is one of the most visited places in London and for good reason. It offers an important slice of London’s history, as well as a wealth of free attractions to see.
The History of Trafalgar Square
Until the 18th century, much of the area that is now the square was the courtyard of the Great Mews stables that served Whitehall Palace. In 1812, architect John Nash developed the space into a cultural area open to the public, and in 1830, it was officially named Trafalgar Square. The next forty years saw the evolution of the square into what visitors see today.
In 2003, the square was reopened after an eighteen month project that saw the northern terrace area closed to traffic to create a pedestrian access area to the National Gallery. The renovations also included the addition of a café, public toilets and lifts for disabled access.
Since its construction, Trafalgar Square has been the site of thousands of rallies and demonstrations running the gamut from political and religious to general issues, and the Mayor of London continues to support this democratic tradition of allowing the people a place to speak out.
Nelson’s Column
Nelson’s Column is a memorial statue to Admiral Horatio Nelson’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Designed by William Railton in 1838, it features an 18-ft tall statue of Nelson on top of a 151-ft granite column.
The square base has inlaid bronze panels cast from captured French cannons, representing Nelson’s four great victories at sea. In 1867, four lion statues were added to the column’s base, and have become among the most iconic symbols of historical London.
The Plinth Statues
The square has four plinths for statues. Three have permanent memorials: General Sir Charles James Napier in the southwest of the square; Major General Sir Henry Havelock on the southeast; and King George IV on the northeast. The fourth plinth, in the northwest, features a rotating program of modern art.
The Fountains
Two fountains were added to Trafalgar Square in 1845 and were embellished by mermaids, dolphins and tritons at a later date. They operate most days of the year.
National Gallery
Located at Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery museum which houses some of the world’s finest collections of Western European art dating from around 1250 A.D. to the present.
Admission to the main collection is free to all. Some special exhibitions may have a separate admission fee. For current hours, and a list of exhibits, visit nationalgallery.org.uk.
Nearby Attractions
The National Portrait Gallery sits next to the National Gallery and houses portraits of famous people from monarchs to celebrities. Mediums involved include paintings, sculptures and photographs. Entry is free. For current hours, and a list of exhibits, visit npg.org.uk.
St. Martin in the Fields Church has undergone many incarnations, with the present church having been built in 1726. It sits adjacent to Trafalgar Square and is one of the oldest operating Christian churches in London. It also has a long history of being involved in social, humanitarian and international issues, and welcomes people of different faiths to its services. For more information, including a schedule of events, visit stmartin-in-the-fields.org.
Getting to Trafalgar Square
The square can be accessed via four Tube stations: Charing Cross (closest), Embankment, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, as well as one Mainline Train station at Charing Cross. Over 25 bus routes also pass by Trafalgar Square daily. Visit tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus for a list of those routes.
Visiting Tips
It’s best to budget several hours to truly absorb the atmosphere of the square and people watch. Allow at least half a day if you intend to visit the museums or other nearby attractions.
For more information, and a map of the area, visit the Official Visitor Guide to London at visitlondon.com.
Michelle Snow has been writing about travel, entertainment, and whatever else strikes her fancy for almost 30 years. She has been published in print, online, and has authored four guidebooks. Besides this lovely blog, you can find her writings online at zengrrl.com and citysurfingorlando.com.
When we had only a few hours to spend in Trafalgar Square we enjoyed the National Gallery and the Fountains. We hope to return one day and visit many of the other places you mentioned.
I found it a fascinating place, too, and it’s a great way to spend a day in London without spending a lot of money. Thanks for commenting, Jeff!