Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of the best places to take the pulse of life in England’s capital city. While many tourists come here independently, a guide can help enlighten visitors as to the significance of the square’s many monuments and sights as well as draw attention to the splendid surrounding architecture. Trafalgar Square is commonly included on sightseeing tours of the West End and Central London, along with nearby Westminster, where you’ll find Big Ben and the United Kingdom’s Houses of Parliament. You may also encounter Trafalgar Square during guided walking tours, bus tours, and bike tours.

• You’ll find public restrooms at the west end of the square; a small charge applies.

• Check ahead to see if an event is scheduled. Preparation for big events may result in limited access.

• The National Gallery offers free Wi-Fi.

The nearest station to Trafalgar Square is Charing Cross, which is served by the Bakerloo and Northern Underground lines as well as by regular rail. Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Northern lines), Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines), and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) stations are all fewer than 10 minutes’ walk away.

Trafalgar Square is at its liveliest in summer. Lunchtime is particularly good for people-watching as office workers decamp from their desks to eat on the steps in front of the National Gallery. In the run-up to the festive period, a giant Christmas tree—a gift from Norway to the people of Britain—is erected in the center of the square, and carolers belt out festive songs to raise money for charity.

Built in 1841, Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth was originally meant to host a statue of King William IV, but because of a lack of funds, it stood empty for more than a century. Until recently, that is, when the mayor of London decided to put the plinth to good use: as a showcase for contemporary artwork. In 2017 the plinth held David Shrigley’sReally Good, a 22-foot (7-meter) bronze thumbs-up.

Yes, many London walking tours pass through Trafalgar Square, giving the lowdown on the history of the vibrant plaza that dates back to the early 19th century. The square is usually thronged by hop-on, hop-off buses and sightseeing coaches that include the site as a must-see stop on their itineraries.

Nelson’s Column, the Fourth Plinth for public art, and the photo-worthy Landseer Lions sculptures are all in Trafalgar Square, while more major attractions are found nearby. The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery crown the northern reaches of the square, while the elegant Admiralty Arch flanks the square’s southwestern corner.

Many snap-happy visitors can’t resist the draw of the four bronze lion sculptures that guard Nelson’s Column. Named after the man who designed them, the Landseer Lions of Trafalgar Square have become an iconic backdrop for Trafalgar Square photos. Just note, though, that climbing on the beasts is officially banned.

No, Trafalgar Square is a public site that’s freely accessible to all. Even many organized events here are free; the square has hosted London’s popular Eid in the Square, West End Live, Black Cultural Event, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities. As with most places in central London, though, there is a restroom fee.

Trafalgar Square is a bustling place every day, but if you visit on a weekday morning, you’ll likely find it quiet. Early risers could aim to catch the first tube when most people in the square are flitting through on their way to work, leaving the monuments calm and crowd-free.

Yes, there are plenty of London photography tours that visit Trafalgar Square. Options include night tours that capture the site’s lit-up monuments or daytime tours that aim to translate the energy and bustle of the square into print. Photography tours with private guides or small groups are among the possibilities.