Trafalgar Square

The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, a British naval victory during the Napoleonic Wars with France. The square evolved during the 1800's when Sir Charles Barry presented a plan to develop Trafalgar Square in 1838. In 1843 Nelson's Column, designed by William Railton, was erected and 1845 saw the fountains built based on designs thought to be by Sir Charles Barry. In 1867 Sir Edwin Landseer designed the bronze lions placed on guard at the base of Nelson's Column.

In 1876, the Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall, but were later moved when the central staircase was added.

The plinths

At the corners of the square are four plinths, on the northeast plinth is a statue of George IV, the southeast plinth has a statue of Major-General Sir Henry Havelock and the southwest plinth has a statue of General Sir Charles James Napie. The forth plinth in the northwest corner was originally intended for a statue of William IV, but due to his unpopularity and lack of funds the statue was never built. In recent times the plinth has been used to show specially commissioned artworks, could we see a statue of her Majesty the Queen occupy this plinth in the future?

Pigeons

Over the years feeding the wild pigeons had been a popular activity with tourists and seed sellers were a common site within the square. However, due to the damage to the stonework from the birds droppings and the perceived health hazard, measures were put in place to discourage the pigeons from coming to the square. By 2008 the pigeons had largely disappeared.