Trafalgar Square
Home to famous statues and iconic fountains
Trafalgar Square is named after Britain’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Although Britain won, war hero Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was killed during the battle on his ship, HMS Victory. Nelson’s contribution was remembered with Nelson’s Column, a key feature of the square.
The site of Trafalgar Square was previously the Royal Mews from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The mews moved to its current location at Buckingham Palace in the early 19th century.
John Nash subsequently redesigned the square, which officially opened in 1844. More recently, it was redeveloped to include a pedestrianised area at the north of the square in 2003.
During its history, the square has been a place for protests, demonstrations and large-scale events, which continues to this day.
You can attend one of the numerous family-friendly Trafalgar Square events today. Supported by the Mayor of London, these Trafalgar Square free events include multicultural festivals and religious celebrations, ranging from Chinese New Year and Pride in London festivities, to carol singing beneath the Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway every year since 1947.