14/12/2023
🇬🇧
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
It is one of London’s most vibrant spaces in the middle of the city
Trafalgar Square is surrounded by museums, galleries, cultural spaces and historic buildings. It also has the café on the square
We had been visiting it regularly since 1991. You can see me with the pigeons in the first photograph from 1991. However, the pigeons are no more there. Concerned that the birds’ were damaging Nelson’s Column and other structures, authorities started installing anti-pigeon wires and spikes. Feeding the birds in the main square was criminalised in 2003, but animal rights protesters continued to feed pigeons on its North Terrace. Westminster City Council extended the ban to the wider area in 2007, and whacked a potential £500 fine on top. So the pigeons disappeared to a great extent!
HISTORY OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE
14th to 17th century
Most of the area now occupied by Trafalgar Square was the courtyard of the Great Mews stabling, which served Whitehall Palace
1812
The architect John Nash began to develop ‘a new street from Charing Cross to Portland Place’. He wanted it to be a cultural space open to the public
1830
The site was officially named Trafalgar Square
1832
Work began on the National Gallery
1838
Sir Charles Barry presented a plan to develop Trafalgar Square. This included the Nelson memorial statue and two fountains
1843
Nelson’s Column, designed by William Railton, was erected
1845
The fountains were built
1867
Sir Edwin Landseer designed the bronze lions placed on guard at the base of Nelson’s Column
1876
The Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall
TRAFALGAR SQUARE TODAY
July 2003
A huge project to transform Trafalgar Square was completed. The north terrace was pedestrianised, so that the square is now linked to the National Gallery. The changes also included a cafe, public toilets and a lift for disabled access
Trafalgar Square is a centre of national democracy and protest. Rallies and demonstrations are frequently held at weekends on different political, religious and general issues. The Mayor supports this democratic tradition, and gives access to the square for such causes
STATUES AND FOUNTAINS
● Nelson’s Column
William Railton designed the column and statue to honour Admiral Nelson, after his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The granite statue was sculpted by E. H. Baily. It is five metres high and stands on a bronze platform made from old guns from the Woolwich Arsenal Foundry.
The four bronze panels at the base of the column depict some of Nelson’s battles. The lions, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer, are said to protect Nelson’s Column.
---> Restoration of Nelson’s Column
Nelson's Column is Grade 1 listed. It is inspected every two years to assess its condition. Recent inspections found that the column was in sound condition, but recommended conservation work to preserve it for future generations
This work includes repairs to the stonework, cleaning areas of corrosion, protecting the bronze with wax, general cleaning to remove pigeon guano, and pigeon-proofing minor areas
The restoration team was able to repair damage to the statue using Craigleith sandstone, the original material used to make it. When the Craigleith quarry in Scotland closed sixty years ago it made getting hold of the stone almost impossible, so previous restorers patched Nelson up using a mixture of mortar and cement
However, some Craigleith stone was found during a restoration of Donaldson's School for the Deaf (an A-listed building in Edinburgh). It was donated to Nelson’s Column restoration by Scottish company Watson Stonecraft
● Fountains
The fountains were added in 1845. The mermaids, dolphins and tritons (the male figures with tails like fish) were installed later.
The fountains operate on most days.
STATUES AND BUSTS
● Admiral Beatty
The bronze bust by William MacMillian, Royal Academician is mounted on a granite pilaster against the north wall of the square.
Date of monument: 1948
Materials : Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
● Admiral Jellicoe
The bronze bust by Charles Wheeler, Associate Member of the Royal Academy is mounted on a granite pilaster against the north wall of the square.
Date of monument: 1948
Materials : Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
● Admiral Cunningham
The bronze bust by Franta Besley, is mounted on a granite pilaster against the North wall of the square.
Date of monument: 1967
Materials : Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
There are four plinths for statues in the square. Bronze statues stand on three of them:
● General Sir Charles James Napier
The bronze statue by G G Adams stands on a granite pedestal on the South West Corner of the square
Date of monument: 1856
Materials : Granite & Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
● Major General Sir Henry Havelock
The bronze statue by W Behnes stands on a Dartmoor granite pedestal on the South East corner of the square.
Date of monument: 1861
Materials : Granite & Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
● King George IV
The bronze equestrian statue by Sir Francis Chantery stands on a granite pedestal to the North East corner of the square.
Date of monument: 1843
Materials : Granite & Bronze
Statutory Status : Grade II
---> The Fourth Plinth
The fourth plinth, in the northwest of the square, was empty for many years. It is now managed by a Commissioning Group Panel of specialist advisors. This group guides and monitors the commissions for the plinth. The content presents world-class contemporary artworks in the public realm.
Imperial Measures
In 1876 the Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall. Surveyors can still check ‘Perches’, ‘Chains’ and other archaic measures against feet and yards. When the central staircase was added, the measures were relocated, and you can now find information about them outside the café on the square.
Police box
Probably the smallest police box ever built can be found on the southeast corner of the square. There was originally a lamp, built in 1826. In 1926, Scotland Yard installed a telephone line and light which the police could use to call for assistance. It is now used for storage.
Events
Many events are hosted at Trafalgar Square, including cultural celebrations, commercial events, rallies and demonstrations, filming and photographic shoots.