Trafalgar Square
Plaza · Charing Cross ·
Nelson's Column, lions, fountains, National Gallery, street performers
Information
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom Get directions
Nelson's Column, lions, fountains, National Gallery, street performers
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom Get directions
"The square hosts a central Christmas market with commanding views down Whitehall to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and its iconic Christmas tree — traditionally a Norwegian spruce donated from Oslo, over 65 feet tall and lit each December — is adorned with hundreds of white lights and often accompanied by carol singing." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Traipsing around Trafalgar Square situates you in the heart of London and provides easy access to nearby cultural landmarks." - Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske is an associate editor at TripSavvy and a former associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure. She writes and edits content about destinations around the world, covering everything from travel-related news and tips to stories about quirky destinations. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Trafalgar Square is a notoriously busy spot, one that is packed with tourists crowding around its famous statues and intriguing attractions. But many of these visitors don’t know that there are pieces of London’s past hidden right under their feet. A series of plaques are embedded within the northeastern part of Trafalgar Square. Turn your eyes to the wall and the stairs leading toward the National Gallery, and you’ll see various official Imperial measurements—some more familiar than others—that have lain in the square since 1876. The plaques depicting inches, feet, and yards as measured at 62 degrees Fahrenheit do more than give tourists a crash course on Imperial units (even those who favor the Imperial system may still be perplexed by the plaques for chains, perches, and poles). The Board of Trade installed these markers to preserve the standard units of measurement that were created between 1838 and 1842. A standards commission overseen by Sir George Airy created three copies of the official units of measurement after a devastating fire in the Palace of Westminster destroyed the old ones. Trafalgar Square isn’t the only place within London to spot these official measurements. You can also find some in the Great Hall of the Guildhall and near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"▲▲ The heart of London, where Westminster, The City, and the West End meet." - Rick Steves' Europe
