•London Travel Holiday•
•Things To See And Do On Your London Travel Holiday•
Visiting Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square sits literally in the center of England and has long been London's preferred site of political demonstrations. At the south end is an area where Edward I erected Charing Cross in 1290 and is the point at which all distances to the city of London are measured. At this site today, you will find a statue of Charles I on his horse.
In modern times, you will find many things to do in the square which was completed in 1845 and has been very popular since. One of the most striking characteristics as the 1 85 foot column that bears a 17 foot tall statue of Lord Nelson. Since the square was originally designed to tribute Nelsons 1805 victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, this is quite fitting. At the base are bronze reliefs that show Admiral Nelsons battles and it is guarded by four bronze lions by Landseer on granite blocks.
But these great monuments were not without their troubles and were once almost overtaken by pigeons. In fact, a controversial program was enacted to reduce the bird population here much to the dismay of many of the tourists with whom the birds were popular.
Many major roadways in London lead to Trafalgar Square in the square itself is adorned with traditional neoclassical fountains. You can find the National Gallery on the north of the square which houses one of the world's finest art museums as well as being an architectural work of art itself. To the east is South Africa House that has wonderful African animals carved on a stone arches. The West boasts Canada House where Canadians can send and receive e-mails as well as read Canadian newspapers. On the south you will find Whitehall which boasts the Cenotaph bill to commemorate the 1919 armistice.
During the Christmas season they have a great tree lighting ceremony which has been a tradition there since 1947. Each year a giant tree is sent by Norway as an expression of gratitude for the support of the British during World War II. The tree is decorated and the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Mayor of Oslo light the tree together.
If you do decide to visit Trafalgar Square plan to make a day of it because less than a mile from the square are some other great things to see such as 10 Downing St where the Prime Minister has lived since the early 1700s and the Churchill Museum. In addition, you can zip down to the British Museum which is only about a mile away to see one of the largest collections of artifacts and the world.
In modern times, you will find many things to do in the square which was completed in 1845 and has been very popular since. One of the most striking characteristics as the 1 85 foot column that bears a 17 foot tall statue of Lord Nelson. Since the square was originally designed to tribute Nelsons 1805 victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, this is quite fitting. At the base are bronze reliefs that show Admiral Nelsons battles and it is guarded by four bronze lions by Landseer on granite blocks.
But these great monuments were not without their troubles and were once almost overtaken by pigeons. In fact, a controversial program was enacted to reduce the bird population here much to the dismay of many of the tourists with whom the birds were popular.
Many major roadways in London lead to Trafalgar Square in the square itself is adorned with traditional neoclassical fountains. You can find the National Gallery on the north of the square which houses one of the world's finest art museums as well as being an architectural work of art itself. To the east is South Africa House that has wonderful African animals carved on a stone arches. The West boasts Canada House where Canadians can send and receive e-mails as well as read Canadian newspapers. On the south you will find Whitehall which boasts the Cenotaph bill to commemorate the 1919 armistice.
During the Christmas season they have a great tree lighting ceremony which has been a tradition there since 1947. Each year a giant tree is sent by Norway as an expression of gratitude for the support of the British during World War II. The tree is decorated and the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Mayor of Oslo light the tree together.
If you do decide to visit Trafalgar Square plan to make a day of it because less than a mile from the square are some other great things to see such as 10 Downing St where the Prime Minister has lived since the early 1700s and the Churchill Museum. In addition, you can zip down to the British Museum which is only about a mile away to see one of the largest collections of artifacts and the world.