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Trafalgar Square is London's largest square and has been a favorite congregation place for the quintessential Londoners since the Middle ages. Although in those days the site was known as Charing and significantly the Trafalgar Square Tube Station is still named Charing Cross instead of Trafalgar Square.
This beautiful square is primarily a commemoration square in honor of the then British Navy who under the astute leadership of Admiral Nelson secured a hard fought victory over the marauding Napoleon fleet in the infamous Battle of Trafalgar way back in the year 1805.
The present Trafalgar Square once upon a time used to be the abode of King's Mews until renowned town planner and architect Charles Barry came out with a whole new scheme - "Charing Cross Improvement Scheme" and transformed this area into one of London's most picturesque squares where both resident Londoners as well as visitors from abroad could have a jolly good time.
Trafalgar Square is today one of the world's most famous squares and has the rare distinction of housing the smallest police station in London.
The bewitching beauty of the square is further accentuated by a cluster of remarkable buildings and edifices that surround Trafalgar Square. For instance, to the north is the magnificent National Gallery. To the South is the impressive Admiralty Arch which was designed in honor of Queen Victoria. Apart from the Grand Building edifice which in the days of yore housed the majestic Grand Hotel. Canada House, which is architecturally superb is to the West of the square, while to the East is the resplendent South Africa House.
Trafalgar Square is the intersection for some of London's most famous streets like the Strand, the Mall, White Hall and Charing Cross and by far the best way of appreciating the beauty of the peripheral areas of the square is by walking leisurely at your own pace and taking in the sights and sounds of this intriguing area of London. Westminster, 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace are all reachable through pleasant walks and who knows you might even catch a glimpse of the regal "Changing of Guards".
A visit to Trafalgar Square is incomplete without feeding the resident pigeons numbering around 4000. Generations of visitors to Trafalgar Square have feed these pigeons. Hollywood diva Elizabeth Taylor can be seen posing with pigeons at Trafalgar Square in a well preserved 1948 photograph at the hallowed National Gallery.
A recent addition to Trafalgar Square was the installation of a 12-ton sculpture of a naked, disabled and pregnant woman at one of the empty pedestals of Trafalgar Square. The statue depicts the pregnant form of Alison Lapper, an artist who was born without arms. This statue is not a permanent fixture and will be replaced another by another statue of the audiences choice some months later, as this plinth has been planned as a revolving helicopter.
6London offers tours to London that cover the tourist attractions of London in detail. You can see all the popular sights as well as others of your choice on tours to London, with 6London.
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