Trafalgar Square
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Trafalgar Square is one of London's greatest architectural sites.
In the centre stands Nelson's Column commemorating his great victory over Napoleon's navy in 1805. He went to sea at 12; became a ships' captain at 20; famously refused to withdraw from battle at Copenhagen using the excuse that he could see no such instruction through his blind eye, and won a resounding victory; scandalously became infatuated with Lady Hamilton, a married woman, though married himself; and finally perished from a sniper's bullet at Trafalgar. His tactics won the battle and his instruction to the fleet that "Everyman should do his duty" ensured his position as Britain's greatest naval hero.
The church of St Martin-in-the-Fields was built in 1726 and lies in the north-east corner of the square. Its design has been copied throughout the world and is particularly popular in the east of the USA. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is covered with beautiful plasterwork.
The National Gallery extends along the whole of the north of the square, housing one of the great art collections in the world.
Charles I´s equestrian statue on the south side stands on the exact position where his executioners were buried. All distances from London are taken from this spot.
Nearby attractions: Leicester Square, Rock Circus, Covent Garden
Tube stations: Charing Cross - Leicester Square