Editing Trafalgar Square

{{Short description|Public square in London, England}}
{{other uses}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox street
| name                    = Trafalgar Square
| former_names            = [[Charing Cross]]
| namesake                = [[Battle of Trafalgar]]
| image                   = Trafalgar Square, London 2 - Jun 2009.jpg
| image_size              = 240
| caption                 = View of the square in 2009
| postal_code             = [[WC postcode area|WC2]]
| location                = [[City of Westminster]], London, England
| maint                   = [[Greater London Authority]]
| map_type                = United Kingdom London Westminster
| map_caption             = Location within Central London
| coordinates             = {{coord|51|30|29|N|00|07|41|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}<!-- {{gbmappingsmall|TQ 299 804}} -->
| designer                = Sir [[Charles Barry]]
| completion_date         = {{circa|1840}}
| north                   = [[Charing Cross Road]]
| south                   = {{indented plainlist|
* [[Northumberland Avenue]]
* [[Whitehall]]
}}
| west                    = [[The Mall, London|The Mall]]
| east                    = [[Strand, London|The Strand]]
| website                 = {{URL|www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/city-halls-buildings-and-squares/trafalgar-square}}
}}

'''Trafalgar Square''' ({{IPAc-en|t|r|ə|ˈ|f|æ|l|ɡ|ər|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Trafalgar.wav}} {{respell|trə|FAL|gər}}) is a [[public square]] in the [[City of Westminster]], Central London, established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as [[Charing Cross]]. The square's name commemorates the [[Battle of Trafalgar]], the [[Royal Navy|British naval]] victory in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] over [[First French Empire|France]] and [[History of Spain (1700-1808)|Spain]] that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of [[Cape Trafalgar]].

The site around Trafalgar Square has been a significant landmark since the 1200s. For centuries, distances measured from Charing Cross have served as location markers.<ref name="charingcross_feature">{{Cite web |title=Where Is The Centre Of London? |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/08/15/charingcross_feature.shtml |date=31 July 2008 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=BBC  |language=en-gb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817141948/http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/08/15/charingcross_feature.shtml |archive-date=17 August 2010}}</ref> The site of the present square formerly contained the elaborately designed, enclosed courtyard, [[Royal Mews|King's Mews]]. After [[George IV]] moved the mews to [[Buckingham Palace]], the area was redeveloped by [[John Nash (architect)|John Nash]], but progress was slow after his death, and the square did not open until 1844. The {{convert|169|ft|adj=on}} [[Nelson's Column]] at its centre is guarded by four lion statues. A number of commemorative statues and sculptures occupy the square, but the [[Fourth Plinth]], left empty since 1840, has been host to contemporary art since 1999.  Prominent buildings facing the square include the [[National Gallery]], [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]], [[Canada House]], and [[South Africa House]].

The square has been used for community gatherings and political [[demonstration (people)|demonstrations]], including [[Bloody Sunday (1887)|Bloody Sunday]] in 1887, the culmination of the first [[Aldermaston March]], anti-war protests, and campaigns against [[climate change]]. A [[Christmas tree]] has been donated to the square by [[Norway]] since 1947 and is erected for twelve days before and after Christmas Day. The square is a centre of annual celebrations on [[New Year's Eve]]. It was well known for its [[feral pigeon]]s until their removal in the early 21st century.

== Name ==
The square is named after the [[Battle of Trafalgar]], a [[Royal Navy|British naval]] victory in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of [[Cape Trafalgar]], southwest Spain, although it was not named as such until 1835.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=934}}

The name "Trafalgar" is a [[Arabic language influence on the Spanish language|Spanish word]] of [[List of English words of Arabic origin|Arabic origin]], derived from either ''Taraf al-Ghar'' ({{lang|ar|طرف الغار}} 'cape of the cave/laurel')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.usal.es/~joluin/historiadelalengua/toponimos.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215174601/http://web.usal.es/~joluin/historiadelalengua/toponimos.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2004|title=2|date=15 December 2004}}</ref><ref>[http://lema.rae.es/drae/?val=algar Entry ''algar''], in [[Diccionario de la lengua española de la Real Academia Española|''DRAE'' dictionary]]</ref><ref name='burton'/> or ''Taraf al-Gharb'' ({{lang|ar|طرف الغرب}} 'extremity of the west').<ref>{{cite web|author=Joseph E. Garreau|url=http://faculty.uml.edu/jgarreau/50.315/Europ1.htm|title=A Cultural Introduction to the Languages of Europe|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref><ref name='burton'>{{cite web|author=Richard Burton|url=http://www.wollamshram.ca/1001/Vol_9/v9notes.htm#82|title=The Arabian Nights|volume=9|at=footnote 82|author-link=Richard Francis Burton}}</ref>

== {{anchor|Layout}} Geography ==
Trafalgar Square is owned by the King in Right of the Crown{{efn|"King in Right of the Crown" is [[legal fiction]] denoting the land is privately owned by the King and it is legally possible, though unlikely, to be sold to another individual. The [[Crown Jewels]] are under similar ownership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/30/jubilee.education|title=The convenient fiction of who owns priceless treasure|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 May 2002|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154515/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/30/jubilee.education|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>}} and managed by the [[Greater London Authority]], while [[Westminster City Council]] owns the roads around the square, including the pedestrianised area of the North Terrace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/2003/nov/27/trafalgar-square |title=Trafalgar Square   |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=27 November 2003 |access-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119112827/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/2003/nov/27/trafalgar-square |archive-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The square contains a large central area with roadways on three sides and a terrace to the north, in front of the National Gallery. The roads around the square form part of the [[A4 road (England)|A4]], a major road running west of the [[City of London]].<ref name=gmap>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5077635,-0.1288193,17.75z|title=Trafalgar Square|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630131551/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5077635,-0.1288193,17.75z|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally having roadways on all four sides, traffic travelled in both directions around the square until a one-way clockwise gyratory system was introduced on 26 April 1926.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS185801367/TTDA?u=kccl&sid=TTDA&xid=7a1f2c7b |title=Trafalgar Square Traffic |date=23 April 1926 |work=[[The Times]] |issue=44253 |page=11 |access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref> Works completed in 2003 reduced the width of the roads and closed the northern side to traffic.<ref name="nytimes.com.2003">{{cite web|date = 3 August 2003|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/travel/travel-advisory-boon-to-pedestrians-in-central-london.html?src=pm|title = TRAVEL ADVISORY; Boon to Pedestrians In Central London|work = [[The New York Times]]|access-date = 22 November 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130510125435/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/travel/travel-advisory-boon-to-pedestrians-in-central-london.html?src=pm|archive-date = 10 May 2013|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square, flanked by fountains designed by Sir [[Edwin Lutyens]] between 1937 and 1939{{sfn|Barker|2005|p=43}} (replacements for two of [[Boddam, Aberdeenshire#Peterhead granite|Peterhead granite]], now in Canada) and guarded by four monumental bronze lions sculpted by Sir [[Edwin Landseer]].<ref name=thornbury>{{cite book|first1=Walter|last1=Thornbury|first2=Edward|last2=Walford|author-link2=Edward Walford
|author-link1=George Walter Thornbury|title=Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery|series=Old and New London|volume=3|publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell, Petter & Galpin]]|location=London|year=1878|pages=141–149|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol3/pp141-149|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025423/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol3/pp141-149|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> At the top of the column is a statue of [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio Nelson]], who commanded the British Navy at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]].<!-- this is a good example of [[WP:BLUE]] and I cannot believe anyone this is information "challenged or likely to be challenged" -->

Surrounding the square are the National Gallery on the north side and [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]] Church to the east.<ref name=thornbury /> Also on the east is [[South Africa House]], and facing it across the square is [[Canada House]]. To the south west is [[The Mall, London|The Mall]], which leads towards [[Buckingham Palace]] via [[Admiralty Arch]], while [[Whitehall]] is to the south and the [[Strand, London|Strand]] to the east. [[Charing Cross Road]] passes between the National Gallery and the church.<ref name=gmap />

[[London Underground]]'s [[Charing Cross tube station|Charing Cross station]] on the [[Northern line|Northern]] and [[Bakerloo line|Bakerloo]] lines has an exit in the square. The lines had separate stations, of which the Bakerloo line one was called Trafalgar Square until they were linked and renamed in 1979 as part of the construction of the [[Jubilee line]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Subterranean City: Beneath the Streets of London|first=Antony|last=Clayton|page=165|publisher=Historical Publications|year=2000|isbn=978-0-948667-69-5}}</ref> which was rerouted to [[Westminster tube station|Westminster]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2015/04/16/take-a-behind-the-scenes-tour-of-the-disused-parts-of-charing-cross-tube-station/|title=Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the disused parts of Charing Cross tube station|magazine=Time Out|date=16 April 2015|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222111410/http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2015/04/16/take-a-behind-the-scenes-tour-of-the-disused-parts-of-charing-cross-tube-station/|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Other nearby tube stations are [[Embankment tube station|Embankment]] connecting the [[District line|District]], [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle]], Northern and Bakerloo lines, and [[Leicester Square tube station|Leicester Square]] on the Northern and [[Piccadilly line|Piccadilly]] lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf|title=Standard tube map|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103122419/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

London bus routes [[London Buses route 3|3]], [[London Buses route 6|6]], [[London Buses route 9|9]], [[London Buses route 11|11]], [[London Buses route 12|12]], [[London Buses route 13|13]], [[London Buses route 15|15]], [[London Buses route 23|23]], [[London Buses route 24|24]], [[London Buses route 29|29]], [[London Buses route 53|53]], [[London Buses route 87|87]], [[London Buses route 88|88]], [[London Buses route 91|91]], [[London Buses route 139|139]], [[London Buses route 159|159]], [[London Buses route 176|176]], [[London Buses route 453|453]] are only some among the bus routes that pass through Trafalgar Square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf|title=Central London Bus Map|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=19 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313082004/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/central-london-bus-map.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2017}}</ref>

A point in Trafalgar Square is regarded as the official centre of London in legislation and when [[Kilometre zero#Great Britain|measuring distances from the capital]].<ref name="charingcross_feature"/>

{{Wide image|Trafalgar Square London 1908.jpg|1000px|Trafalgar Square, 1908|alt=Trafalgar Square, 1908}}
{{Wide image|Trafalgar Square 360 Panorama Cropped Sky, London - Jun 2009.jpg|1000px|A 360-degree view of Trafalgar Square in 2009|alt=A 360-degree view of Trafalgar Square}}

== History ==
[[File:Trafalgar Square by James Pollard.jpg|thumb|A painting by [[James Pollard]] showing the square before the erection of Nelson's Column| alt=A painting by James Pollard showing the square]]
Building work on the south side of the square in the late 1950s revealed deposits from the last [[interglacial]] period. Among the findings were the remains of [[Panthera leo spelaea|cave lions]], [[rhinoceroses]], straight-tusked [[elephants]] and [[hippopotami]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=On the track of Ice Age mammals|last=Sutcliffe|first=A.J.|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=1985|isbn=978-0674637771|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ontrackoficeagem00sutc/page/139 139]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ontrackoficeagem00sutc/page/139}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Franks|first=J.W.|title=Interglacial deposits at Trafalgar Square, London.|journal=The New Phytologist|year=1960|volume=59|issue=2|pages=145–150|jstor=2429192|doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.1960.tb06212.x|doi-access=free|bibcode=1960NewPh..59..145F }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Interglacial Deposits at Trafalgar Square, London|journal = New Phytologist|volume = 59|issue = 2|pages = 145–152|author=J W Franks|date=9 September 1959|doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.1960.tb06212.x|doi-access=free| bibcode=1960NewPh..59..145F }}</ref>

The site has been significant since the 13th century. During [[Edward I of England|Edward&nbsp;I]]'s reign it hosted the [[King's Mews]], running north from the T-junction in the south, [[Charing Cross]], where the [[Strand, London|Strand]] from [[City of London|the City]] meets [[Whitehall]] coming north from [[Westminster]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=934}} From the reign of [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] to that of [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]], the mews was at the western end of the Strand. The name "Royal Mews" comes from the practice of keeping [[hawk]]s here for [[moulting]]; "mew" is an old word for this. After a fire in 1534, the mews were rebuilt as stables, and remained here until George IV moved them to [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/royalmews/about/the-history-of-the-royal-mews|title=The History of the Royal Mews|publisher=Royal Collection Trust|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125160805/https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/royalmews/about/the-history-of-the-royal-mews|archive-date=25 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Clearance and development ===
[[File:Perspective View of the Royal Stables at Charing Cross - J. Maurer, 1747 - grosvenor11544.jpg|thumb|right|Kent's Royal Stables, with the Great Mews in the foreground, in 1747. (To the right is St Martin-in-the-Fields.)]]
After 1732, the King's Mews were divided into the Great Mews and the smaller Green Mews to the north by the Crown Stables, a large block, built to the designs of [[William Kent]]. Its site is occupied by the National Gallery.{{sfn|Mace|1976|p=29}}

In 1826 the [[Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues]] instructed [[John Nash (architect)|John Nash]] to draw up plans for clearing a large area south of Kent's stable block, and as far east as St Martin's Lane. His plans left open the whole area of what became Trafalgar Square, except for a block in the centre, which he reserved for a new building for the [[Royal Academy of Arts]].<ref name=survey /> The plans included the demolition and redevelopment of buildings between St Martin's Lane and the Strand and the construction of a road (now called Duncannon Street) across the churchyard of [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]].{{sfn|Mace|1976|p=37}} The Charing Cross Act was passed in 1826 and clearance started soon after.<ref name=survey /> Nash died soon after construction started, impeding its progress. The square was to be named after [[William IV]] commemorating his ascent to the throne in 1830.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=176}} Around 1835, it was decided that the square would be named after the Battle of Trafalgar as suggested by architect [[George Ledwell Taylor]], commemorating Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish in 1805 during the [[Napoleonic Wars]].{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=934}}<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TBOcU1WXEcC&q=%22trafalgar+square&pg=PA209|title=Wanderlust: Based on the true-life journals of Sydney Taylor|first=Marc|last=Cardinal|publisher=AuthorHouse|page=209|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4490-7907-9}}</ref>

[[File:Trafalgar Square 1890 - ten remaining frames by Wordsworth Donisthorpe.gif|thumb|alt=Animated picture using ten frames taken by Wordsworth Donisthorpe|Ten frames of Trafalgar Square shot by [[Wordsworth Donisthorpe]] in 1890]]
After the clearance, development progressed slowly. The National Gallery was built on the north side between 1832 and 1838 to a design by [[William Wilkins (architect)|William Wilkins]],<ref name=survey>{{cite journal|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=68408&strquery=wilkins%20trafalgar%20square%20national |title=Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery |author=G. H. Gater |editor=F. R. Hiorns |year=1940 |pages=15–18 |journal=Survey of London |volume=20: St Martin-in-the-Fields, pt III: Trafalgar Square & Neighbourhood |access-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406184042/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=68408&strquery=wilkins%20trafalgar%20square%20national |archive-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 1837 the Treasury approved Wilkins' plan for the laying out of the square, but it was not put into effect.<ref name=am>{{cite journal|journal=The Architectural Magazine and Journal|volume=4|year=1837|page=524|title=Design for a national Naval Monument}} quoting the ' 'Observer' ' of 24 September 1837</ref> In April 1840, following Wilkins' death, new plans by [[Charles Barry]] were accepted, and construction started within weeks.<ref name=survey /><ref name=report /> For Barry, as for Wilkins, a major consideration was increasing the visual impact of the National Gallery, which had been widely criticised for its lack of grandeur. He dealt with the complex sloping site by excavating the main area to the level of the footway between [[Cockspur Street]] and the Strand,<ref name=ce>{{cite journal |year= 1840|title=Public Buildings &c Trafalgar Square|journal=The Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal |volume=3 |page=255}}</ref> and constructing a {{convert|15|ft|m|adj=on}} high balustraded terrace with a roadway on the north side, and steps at each end leading to the main level.<ref name=report /> Wilkins had proposed a similar solution with a central flight of steps.<ref name=am /> All the stonework was of Aberdeen [[granite]].<ref name=report /> In 1845, four [[Bude-Light]]s with octagonal glass lanterns were installed. Two, opposite the National Gallery, are on tall bronze columns, and two, in the south-west and south-east corners of the square, on shorter bronze columns on top of wider granite columns. They were designed by Barry and manufactured by Stevens and Son, of [[Southwark]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Bude Lights, Trafalgar-Square|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=etBPAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA284 |magazine=The [[Illustrated London News]] |volume=6 |date=3 May 1845 |page=284 }}</ref>

In 1841 it was decided that two fountains should be included in the layout.{{sfn|Mace|1976|p=107 }} The estimated budget, excluding paving and sculptures, was £11,000.<ref name="report" /> The earth removed was used to level [[Green Park]].<ref name="ce" /> The square was originally surfaced with [[tarmacadam]], which was replaced with stone in the 1920s.<ref name="westminster">{{cite book |last1=Bradley |first1=Simon|last2= Pevsner|first2=Nikolaus |title=London 6: Westminster |series=The Buildings of England |year= 2003 |publisher=Yale University Press }}</ref>

Trafalgar Square was opened to the public on 1 May 1844.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cunningham|first1=Peter|title=Handbook of London Past and Present|date=1849|publisher=John Murray|location=London|page=lxv|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yKoxAQAAIAAJ&pg=PR65|chapter=London Occurrences 1837–1843|access-date=26 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310043118/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yKoxAQAAIAAJ&pg=PR65&dq|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Nelson's Column ===
[[File:London,_Trafalgar_Square,_Nelson's_Column_--_2016_--_4851.jpg|thumb|[[Nelson's Column]]]]
[[File:TrafalgarSquareLion.JPG|thumb|The lions at [[Nelson's Column]] were not finished until nearly 30 years after the square opened.]]
[[Nelson's Column]] was planned independently of Barry's work. In 1838 a Nelson Memorial Committee had approached the government proposing that a monument to the victory of Trafalgar, funded by public subscription, should be erected in the square. A competition was held and won by the architect [[William Railton]], who proposed a {{convert|218|ft|3|in|m|adj=on}} [[Corinthian order|Corinthinan]] column topped by a statue of Nelson and guarded by four sculpted lions. The design was approved, but received widespread objections from the public. Construction went ahead beginning in 1840 but with the height reduced to {{convert|145|ft|3|in|m}}.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=177}} The column was completed and the statue raised in November 1843.{{sfn|Mace|1976|page= 90}}

The last of the bronze reliefs on the column's pedestals was not completed until May 1854, and the four lions, although part of the original design, were only added in 1867.{{sfn|Mace|1976|pp=107–8}} Each lion weighs seven tons.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bow Bells – A Magazine of General Literature|year=1867|publisher=John Dicks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5M0aAQAAMAAJ&q=Landseer+seven+tons&pg=PA233|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402082531/https://books.google.de/books?id=5M0aAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA233&dq=Landseer+seven+tons&hl=de&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjo04T8-YPTAhWM1ywKHSVhD00Q6AEIJjAB#v=onepage&q=Landseer%20seven%20tons&f=false|archive-date=2 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> A hoarding remained around the base of Nelson's Column for some years and some of its upper scaffolding remained in place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Opening of Trafalgar Square |newspaper=The Times |date=31 July 1839 |page=6 }}</ref> Landseer, the sculptor, had asked for a lion that had died at the [[London Zoo]] to be brought to his studio. He took so long to complete sketches that its corpse began to [[decomposition|decompose]] and some parts had to be improvised. The statues have paws that resemble cats more than lions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/11268400/Londons-secret-sights-16-more-odd-attractions-you-never-knew-were-there.html?frame=3155177|title=The faulty lions of Trafalgar Square|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117111724/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/11268400/Londons-secret-sights-16-more-odd-attractions-you-never-knew-were-there.html?frame=3155177|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Barry was unhappy about Nelson's Column being placed in the square. In July 1840, when its foundations had been laid, he told a parliamentary select committee that "it would in my opinion be desirable that the area should be wholly free from all insulated objects of art".<ref name=report>{{Citation |title=Report from the Select Committee on Trafalgar Square together with the Minutes of Evidence|year=1840 |publisher=Printed by the House of Commons |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3xFcAAAAQAAJ|access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref>

In 1940 the [[Nazism|Nazi]] [[Schutzstaffel|SS]] developed secret plans to transfer Nelson's Column to [[Berlin]]{{efn|Hitler had specifically requested that all of [[Rembrandt]]'s paintings in the National Gallery be seized as part of the move, as he particularly admired the artist's work.{{sfn|Longmate|2012|p=137}}}} after an expected [[Operation Sea Lion|German invasion]], as related by [[Norman Longmate]] in ''If Britain Had Fallen'' (1972).{{sfn|Longmate|2012|p=137}}

The square has been Grade I listed on the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England|Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]] since 1996.<ref name=NHLEGarden>{{NHLE|num=1001362|desc=Trafalgar Square|access-date=11 July 2017|mode=cs2}}</ref>

=== Terrorist bombings ===
{{see also|Suffragette bombing and arson campaign}}
The square was the target of two [[suffragette]] bombings in 1913 and 1914. This was as part of the [[suffragette bombing and arson campaign]] of 1912–1914, in which suffragettes carried out a series of politically-motivated bombing and arson attacks nationwide as part of their campaign for [[women's suffrage]].<ref name="BL">{{cite news |title=Suffragettes, violence and militancy |url=https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/suffragettes-violence-and-militancy |access-date=2 October 2021 |work=British Library |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910203912/https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/suffragettes-violence-and-militancy |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The first attack occurred on 15 May 1913. A bomb was planted in the public area outside the National Gallery, but failed to explode.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Webb|first=Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2RtBQAAQBAJ|title=The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists|year=2014 |publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1-78340-064-5|language=en|page=136}}</ref> A second attack occurred at St Martin-in-the-Fields church at the north-east corner of the square on 4 April 1914. A bomb exploded inside the church, blowing out the windows and showering passers-by with broken glass. The bomb then started a fire.<ref name="Webb"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bearman|first=C. J. |year=2005 |title=An Examination of Suffragette Violence|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3490924|journal=The English Historical Review|volume=120|issue=486|page=391|doi=10.1093/ehr/cei119|jstor=3490924|issn=0013-8266}}</ref> In the aftermath, a mass of people rushed to the scene, many of whom aggressively expressed their anger towards the suffragettes.<ref name="Webb">{{Cite book|last=Webb|first=Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2RtBQAAQBAJ|title=The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists|year=2014 |publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1-78340-064-5|language=en|page=xiii}}</ref> Churches were a particular target during the campaign, as it was believed that the [[Church of England]] was complicit in reinforcing opposition to women's suffrage.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Webb|first=Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2RtBQAAQBAJ|title=The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists|year=2014 |publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1-78340-064-5|language=en|page=65}}</ref> Between 1913 and 1914, 32 churches were attacked nationwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bearman|first=C. J. |year=2005 |title=An Examination of Suffragette Violence|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3490924|journal=The English Historical Review|volume=120|issue=486|page=378|doi=10.1093/ehr/cei119|jstor=3490924|issn=0013-8266}}</ref> In the weeks after the bombing, there were also attacks on [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St Paul's Cathedral]].<ref name="BL"/>

=== Redevelopment ===
A major 18-month redevelopment of the square led by [[Atkins (company)|W.S. Atkins]] with [[Foster and Partners]] as sub-consultants was completed in 2003. The work involved closing the eastbound road along the north side and diverting traffic around the other three sides of the square, demolishing the central section of the northern retaining wall and inserting a wide set of steps to the pedestrianised terrace in front of the National Gallery. The construction includes two lifts for disabled access, public toilets and a café. Access between the square and the gallery had been by two crossings at the northeast and northwest corners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trafalgar Square redevelopment|publisher=Foster+Partners|url=http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/trafalgar-square-redevelopment/|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115024403/http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/trafalgar-square-redevelopment/|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}}

== Statues and monuments ==
{{Main|List of public art in Trafalgar Square and the vicinity}}

=== Plinths ===
[[File:Statue of Henry Havelock, October 2014 (15555081947).jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Statue of Henry Havelock, Trafalgar Square|statue of Sir Henry Havelock]] by [[William Behnes]]|alt=Sir Henry Havelock's statue]]
Barry's scheme provided two plinths for sculptures on the north side of the square.<ref name=gn>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov-news.org/gov/uk/news/270_suggestions_for_trafalgar_squares_vacant/40121.html|title=Suggestions for Trafalgar Square's Vacant Plinth|publisher=Government News|date=27 December 1999|access-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208134336/http://www.gov-news.org/gov/uk/news/270_suggestions_for_trafalgar_squares_vacant/40121.html|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=usurped}}</ref> A bronze [[Equestrian statue of George IV, Trafalgar Square|equestrian statue]] of George IV was designed by Sir [[Francis Chantrey]] and [[Thomas Earle (sculptor)|Thomas Earle]]. It was originally intended to be placed on top of the [[Marble Arch]], but instead was installed on the eastern plinth in 1843, while the other plinths remained empty until late in the 20th century.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1275350|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=survey /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/from-beckham-to-lapper-the-ever-changing-cast-887463.html|title=From Beckham to Lapper, the ever-changing cast|first=James|last=Macintyre|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 October 2011|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> There are two other statues on plinths, both installed during the 19th century: General Sir [[Charles James Napier]] by [[George Cannon Adams]] in the south-west corner in 1855, and Major-General Sir [[Henry Havelock]] by [[William Behnes]] in the south-east in 1861.<ref name=survey /> In 2000, the [[Mayor of London]], [[Ken Livingstone]], suggested replacing the statues with figures more familiar to the general public.<ref>{{cite news|author=Paul Kelso|title=Mayor attacks generals in battle of Trafalgar Square|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,3604,385413,00.html|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 October 2000|access-date=25 May 2007 | location=London}}</ref>

==== Fourth plinth ====
{{Main|Fourth plinth}}
In the 21st century, the empty plinth in the north-west corner of the square, the "Fourth Plinth", has been used to show specially commissioned temporary artworks. The scheme was initiated by the [[Royal Society of Arts]] and continued by the Fourth Plinth Commission, appointed by the Mayor of London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/arts-and-culture/art-and-design/fourth-plinth|title=Fourth Plinth|publisher=Greater London Council|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222160716/https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/arts-and-culture/art-and-design/fourth-plinth|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other sculptures ===
There are three busts of admirals against the north wall of the square. Those of [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe]] (by Sir [[Charles Wheeler (sculptor)|Charles Wheeler]]) and [[David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty]] (by [[William McMillan (sculptor)|William MacMillan]]) were installed in 1948 in conjunction with the square's fountains, which also commemorate them.<ref>{{Citation |title=Discovering London Statues and Monuments |last=Baker |first=Margatet |year=2008 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |page=9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=McMillan,_William_(1887–1977),_sculptor|title=McMillan, William (1887–1977)|publisher=Your Archives, [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]|access-date=30 May 2011}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The third, of the [[World War II|Second World War]] [[First Sea Lord]] [[Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope]] (by [[Franta Belsky]]) was unveiled alongside them on {{Nowrap|2 April}} 1967.<ref>{{citation|title=Bust of Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope by Franta Belsky|url=http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Bust_of_Viscount_Cunningham_of_Hyndhope_by_Franta_Belsky|publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)#"Your Archives"|Your Archives, The National Archives]]|access-date=27 November 2007|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130224151119/http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Bust_of_Viscount_Cunningham_of_Hyndhope_by_Franta_Belsky|archive-date=24 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the south side of Trafalgar Square, on the site of the original Charing Cross, is a bronze [[Equestrian statue of Charles I, Charing Cross|equestrian statue of Charles I]] by [[Hubert Le Sueur]]. It was cast in 1633, and placed in its present position in 1678.<ref>[[John Gorton (writer)|John Gorton]]: ''A Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland'', 1833, p. 687</ref>

The two statues on the lawn in front of the National Gallery are the [[Statue of James II, Trafalgar Square|statue of James II]] (designed by [[Peter Van Dievoet|Peter van Dievoet]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.levif.be/actualite/magazine/artistes-de-pere-en-fils/article-normal-894707.html|title=Artistes, de père en fils|website=Site-LeVif-FR|date=21 November 2008|access-date=9 December 2019}}</ref> and [[Laurens van der Meulen]] for the studio of [[Grinling Gibbons]])<ref>[[Horace Walpole]], ''Anecdotes of painting in England: with some account of the principal artists; and incidental notes on other arts; collected by the late Mr. [[George Vertue]]; and now digested and published from his original MSS. by Mr. [[Horace Walpole]]'', London, 1765, vol. III, p. 91 : « Gibbons had several disciples and workmen; Selden I have mentioned; Watson assisted chiefly at [[Chatsworth House|Chatsworth]], where the boys and many of the ornaments in the chapel were executed by him. Dievot of Brussels, and Laurens of Mechlin were principal journeymen — Vertue says they modelled and cast the statue I have mentioned in the privy-garden ». According to David Green, in ''Grinling Gibbons, his work as carver and statuary'' (London, 1964), one Smooke sayd to Vertue that this statue "''was modelled and made by Laurence and Devoot (sic)''"; [[George Vertue]], ''Note Books'', ed. Walpole Society, Oxford, 1930–47, vol. I, p.82 : "Lawrence. Dyvoet. statuarys", and ''ibidem'' IV, 50 : "Laurens a statuary of Mechlin... Dievot a statuary of Brussels both these artists were in England and assisted Mr. Gibbons in statuary works in K. Charles 2d. and K. James 2d. time, they left England in the troubles of the Revolution and retird to their own country".</ref> to the west of the portico, and of one [[George Washington]], a [[George Washington (Houdon)|replica of a work]] by [[Jean-Antoine Houdon]], to the east.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}} The latter was a gift from the Commonwealth of [[Virginia]], installed in 1921.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=875}}

Two statues erected in the 19th century have since been removed. One of [[Edward Jenner]], pioneer of the [[smallpox vaccine]], was set up in the south-west corner of the square in 1858, next to that of Napier. Sculpted by [[William Calder Marshall]], it showed Jenner sitting in a chair in a relaxed pose, and was inaugurated at a ceremony presided over by [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]]. It was moved to [[Kensington Gardens]] in 1862.<ref>{{cite journal |year=1858 |title=The Jenner Monument |journal=Dublin Hospital Gazette |volume=5 |page=176 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45228 |title=Kensington Gardens |author=Edward Walford |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |year=1878 |work=Old and New London: Volume 5 |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525194901/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45228 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The other, of General [[Charles George Gordon]] by [[Hamo Thornycroft]], was erected on an 18-foot high pedestal between the fountains in 1888. It was removed in 1943 and re-sited on the [[Victoria Embankment]] ten years later.{{sfn|Mace|1976|pp=125–126}}

== Fountains ==
[[File:Trafalgar square fountain, June 7 2014.JPG|thumb|Fountain at Trafalgar Square, 2014|alt=Fountain at Trafalgar Square, 2014]]
In 1841, following suggestions from the local paving board, Barry agreed that two fountains should be installed to counteract the effects of reflected heat and glare from the asphalt surface. The First Commissioner of Woods and Forests welcomed the plan because the fountains reduced the open space available for public gatherings and reduced the risk of riotous assembly.{{sfn|Mace|1976|p=87}} The fountains were fed from two wells, one in front of the National Gallery and one behind it connected by a tunnel. Water was pumped to the fountains by a steam engine housed in a building behind the gallery.<ref name=survey />

In the late-1930s it was decided to replace the pump and the centrepieces of the fountains. The new centrepieces, designed by Sir [[Edwin Lutyens]], were memorials to Lord Jellicoe and Lord Beatty, although busts of the admirals, initially intended to be placed in the fountain surrounds were placed against the northern retaining wall when the project was completed after the Second World War.{{sfn|Mace|1976|pp=130–1}} The fountains cost almost £50,000. The original centrepieces were presented to the Canadian government and are now located in [[Ottawa]]'s [[Confederation Park]] and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]'s [[Wascana Centre]].<ref name="Guardian 20090529">{{citation|title=Trafalgar Square fountain spurts to new heights|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/may/29/trafalgar-square-fountains-reopen|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 May 2009|location=London|first=Maev|last=Kennedy|access-date=25 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715153136/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/may/29/trafalgar-square-fountains-reopen|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GardenFoundation">{{cite web|title=Trafalgar Square fountains|url=http://www.garden-fountain.co.uk/trafalgar.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922082950/http://www.garden-fountain.co.uk/trafalgar.asp|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 September 2006|year=2003|access-date=16 July 2009}}</ref>

A programme of restoration was completed by {{Nowrap|May 2009}}. The pump system was replaced with one capable of sending an {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=on}} jet of water into the air.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/may/29/trafalgar-square-fountains-reopen|title=Trafalgar Square fountain spurts to new heights|first=Maev|last=Kennedy|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 May 2009|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130857/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/may/29/trafalgar-square-fountains-reopen|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[light-emitting diode|LED]] lighting system that can project different combinations of colours on to the fountains was installed to reduce the cost of lighting maintenance and to coincide with the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="Guardian 20090529" />

== Pigeons ==
{{See also|Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons}}
[[File:People feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square c.1993.jpg|thumb|People sitting on lions and feeding pigeons in the square|alt=Pigeons flocking to London's Trafalgar Square]]
The square was once famous for [[feral pigeon]]s and feeding them was a popular activity. Pigeons began flocking to the square before construction was completed and feed sellers became well known in the Victorian era.{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=181}} The desirability of the birds' presence was contentious: their droppings disfigured the stonework and the flock, estimated at its peak to be 35,000, was considered a [[Rock dove#Human health|health hazard]].<ref name=pidgeons /><ref>{{cite book|title=House Guests, House Pests: A Natural History of Animals in the Home|first=Richard|last=Jones|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2015|page=85|isbn=978-1-4729-0624-3}}</ref> A stall seller, Bernie Rayner, infamously sold bird seed to tourists at inflated prices.<ref name=ipidgeon>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-pigeons-have-gone-but-visitors-are-flocking-to-trafalgar-square-2041675.html|title=The pigeons have gone, but visitors are flocking to Trafalgar Square|first=Andy|last=McSmith|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 October 2011|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033542/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-pigeons-have-gone-but-visitors-are-flocking-to-trafalgar-square-2041675.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2001, the sale of bird seed in the square was stopped<ref name="pidgeons">{{citation|title=Pigeon feed seller takes flight|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1158023.stm|work=BBC News|date=7 February 2001|access-date=30 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808213842/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1158023.stm|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and other measures were introduced to discourage the pigeons including the use of [[Falconry|birds of prey]].<ref>{{citation|title=Bird control contractor appointed in 2004 to deter pigeons from Trafalgar Square|url=http://www.vvenv.co.uk/news/the-verminator|publisher=vvenv.co.uk|date=8 October 2004|access-date=19 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080932/http://www.vvenv.co.uk/news/the-verminator|archive-date=25 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Supporters continued to feed the birds but in 2003 the [[Mayor of London|mayor]], [[Ken Livingstone]], enacted [[bylaw]]s to ban feeding them in the square.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3275233.stm|title=Feeding Trafalgar's pigeons illegal|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2003|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315011833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3275233.stm|archive-date=15 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2007 [[Westminster City Council]] passed further bylaws banning feeding birds on the [[pedestrianisation|pedestrianised]] North Terrace and other pavements in the area.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.24dash.com/localgovernment/27299.htm|title=Pigeon feeding banned in Trafalgar Square|publisher=24dash.com|date=10 September 2007|access-date=17 September 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629083412/http://www.24dash.com/localgovernment/27299.htm|archive-date=29 June 2012}}</ref> Nelson's column was repaired from years of damage from pigeon droppings at a cost of £140,000.<ref name=ipidgeon />

== Events ==

=== New Year ===
For many years, revellers celebrating the [[New Year]] have gathered in the square despite a lack of celebrations being arranged. The lack of official events was partly because the authorities were concerned that encouraging more partygoers would cause overcrowding. Since 2003, a firework display centred on the [[London Eye]] and [[South Bank]] of the [[River Thames|Thames]] has been provided as an alternative. Since 2014, New Year celebrations have been organised by the Greater London Authority in conjunction with the charity [[Unicef]], who began ticketing the event to control crowd numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/london-nye-2015-fireworks|title=London New Year's Eve with Unicef.|work=Greater London Authority|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063425/https://www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/london-nye-2015-fireworks|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The fireworks display was cancelled during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. An event scheduled to take place in the Square to welcome in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59343732|title = London New Year fireworks replaced by Trafalgar Square event|work = BBC News|date = 19 November 2021}}</ref> was cancelled during the spread of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59734081|title = Omicron: Trafalgar Square New Year's Eve event cancelled|work = BBC News|date = 20 December 2021}}</ref>

=== Christmas ===
{{See also|Trafalgar Square Christmas tree}}
[[File:Trafalgar Square Christmas tree8.jpg|thumb|upright|The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in 2008|alt=The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree]]

A [[Christmas]] ceremony has been held in the square every year since 1947.<ref name=bbctree /> A [[Norway spruce]] (or sometimes a [[fir]]) is presented by Norway's capital city, [[Oslo]] as London's [[Christmas tree]], a token of gratitude for Britain's support during World War&nbsp;II.<ref name=bbctree /> (Besides war-time support, Norway's [[Olav V of Norway|Prince Olav]] and the country's government lived in exile in London throughout the war.<ref name=bbctree />)

The Christmas tree is decorated with lights that are switched on at a seasonal ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/events/tree-lighting#?tab=map&map=SignificantWeather&zoom=8&lon=-0.12&lat=51.51&fcTime=1362477600|title=Trafalgar Square tree lighting ceremony|publisher=Met Office|access-date=25 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031060337/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/events/tree-lighting#?tab=map&map=SignificantWeather&zoom=8&lon=-0.12&lat=51.51&fcTime=1362477600|archive-date=31 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> It is usually held twelve days before Christmas Day. The festivity is open to the public and attracts a large number of people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/trafalgar-square-sparkles-blue-as-christmas-tree-lights-go-on-8388954.html|title=Trafalgar Square sparkles blue as Christmas tree lights go on|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209052210/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/trafalgar-square-sparkles-blue-as-christmas-tree-lights-go-on-8388954.html|archive-date=9 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The switch-on is usually followed by several nights of [[Christmas carol]] singing and other performances and events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/events/2015-12-03/christmas-trafalgar-square|title=Christmas in Trafalgar Square|publisher=Greater London Council|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209203129/http://www.london.gov.uk/events/2015-12-03/christmas-trafalgar-square|archive-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live|date=5 November 2015}}</ref> On the [[twelfth night]] of Christmas, the tree is taken down for recycling. Westminster City Council threatened to abandon the event to save £5,000 in 1980 but the decision was reversed.<ref name=bbctree>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/for_christmas/_new_year/christmas_decorations/39383.stm|title=Shedding light on Christmas|work=BBC News|date=21 December 1997|access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref>

The tree is selected by the Head Forester from Oslo's [[municipal forest]] and shipped, across the [[North Sea]] to the [[Port of Felixstowe]], then by road to Trafalgar Square. The first tree was {{convert|48|ft|m}} tall, but more recently has been around {{convert|75|ft|m}}. In 1987, protesters chained themselves to the tree.<ref name=bbctree /> In 1990, a man sawed into the tree with a chainsaw a few hours before a New Year's Eve party was scheduled to take place. He was arrested and the tree was repaired by [[Arborist|tree surgeons]] who removed gouged sections from the trunk while the tree was suspended from a crane.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-31-mn-5771-story.html|title=Man Takes Chain Saw to Trafalgar Square Tree, but Tannenbaum Stands|agency=Associated Press|date=31 December 1990|access-date=22 December 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223071915/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-12-31/news/mn-5771_1_tree-square-trafalgar|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Political demonstrations ===
[[File:Rally at Trafalgar Square, part of the Mud March.jpg|alt=A demonstration in Trafalgar Square|right|thumb|A demonstration in Trafalgar Square]]
The square has become a social and political focus for visitors and Londoners, developing over its history from "an [[esplanade]] peopled with figures of national heroes, into the country's foremost ''place politique''", as historian Rodney Mace has written. Since its construction, it has been a venue for political demonstrations.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}} The great [[Chartism|Chartist]] rally in 1848, a campaign for social reform by the working class began in the square.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}} A ban on political rallies remained in effect until the 1880s, when the emerging [[Labour movement]], particularly the [[Social Democratic Federation]], began holding protests. On {{Nowrap|8 February}} 1886 (also known as "Black Monday"), protesters rallied against unemployment leading to a riot in [[Pall Mall, London|Pall Mall]]. A larger riot (''"[[Bloody Sunday (1887)|Bloody Sunday]]"'') occurred in the square on {{Nowrap|13 November}} 1887.{{sfn|Crick|1994|p=47}}

The [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]]'s first [[Aldermaston Marches|Aldermaston March]], protesting against the [[Atomic Weapons Establishment]] (AWE), began in the square in 1958.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}} One of the first significant demonstrations of the modern era was held in the square on {{Nowrap|19 September}} 1961 by the [[Committee of 100 (United Kingdom)|Committee of 100]], which included the philosopher [[Bertrand Russell]]. The protesters rallied for peace and against war and nuclear weapons. In March 1968, a crowd of 10,000 demonstrated against US involvement in the [[Vietnam War]] before marching to the [[Embassy of the United States, London|American Embassy]] in [[Grosvenor Square]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/17/newsid_2818000/2818967.stm |title=On This Day – 17 March – 1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent |date=2008 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=2 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111134315/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/17/newsid_2818000/2818967.stm |archive-date=11 January 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

[[File:DemonstrationAgainstAntiTerrorismLawLondon23Jan.jpg|thumb|Protesting against harassment of photographers under anti-terrorism law, 23 January 2010|alt=Protests]]
Throughout the 1980s, a continuous anti-[[apartheid]] protest was held outside South Africa House. In 1990, the [[Poll Tax Riots]] began by a demonstration attended by 200,000 people and ultimately caused rioting in the surrounding area.{{sfn|Weinreb et al.|2008|p=935}} More recently, there have been anti-war demonstrations opposing the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan War]] and the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{citation|author=Keith Flett|title=The Committee of 100: Sparking a new left|url=http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=5114|journal=[[Socialist Worker]]|issue=1933|date=8 January 2005|access-date=10 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321061644/http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=5114|archive-date=21 March 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> A large vigil was held shortly after the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|terrorist bombings in London]] on Thursday, {{Nowrap|7 July}} 2005.<ref>{{citation|title=London falls silent for bomb dead|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4679681.stm|work=BBC News|date=14 July 2005|access-date=22 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060722004846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4679681.stm|archive-date=22 July 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2009, participants from the Camp for Climate Action occupied the square for the two weeks during which the UN Conference on Climate Change took place in [[Copenhagen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/actions/copenhagen-2009/cop15-out |title=COP OUT CAMP OUT Âť Camp for Climate Action |publisher=Climatecamp.org.uk |access-date=26 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929120826/http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/actions/copenhagen-2009/cop15-out |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref> It was billed as a UK base for direct action on climate change and saw various actions and protests stem from the occupation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/12/443493.html?c=on#c239066 |title=UK Indymedia – Climate protestors scale Canadian Embassy and deface flag |publisher=Indymedia.org.uk |date=15 December 2009 |access-date=26 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/12/443706.html |title=UK Indymedia – Climate Camp Trafalgar- Ice Bear action |publisher=Indymedia.org.uk |date=18 December 2009 |access-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011222724/http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/12/443706.html |archive-date=11 October 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/12/443698.html |title=UK Indymedia – Thur Dec 17 protest outside Danish Embassy, London |publisher=Indymedia.org.uk |date=17 December 2009 |access-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011194235/http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/12/443698.html |archive-date=11 October 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In March 2011, the square was occupied by a crowd protesting against the UK Budget and proposed budget cuts. During the night the situation turned violent as the escalation by riot police and protesters damaged portions of the square.<ref>[[Wikinews:Battle for Trafalgar Square, London as violence breaks out between demonstrators and riot police]]</ref> In November 2015 a vigil against the [[November 2015 Paris attacks|terrorist attacks in Paris]] was held. Crowds sang the French [[national anthem]], ''[[La Marseillaise]]'', and held banners in support of the city and country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paris-attacks-thousands-attend-vigil-in-trafalgar-square-a6734926.html|title=Paris terror attacks|newspaper=The Independent|date=14 November 2015|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122024302/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paris-attacks-thousands-attend-vigil-in-trafalgar-square-a6734926.html|archive-date=22 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:UK-2014-London-Statue of Charles James Napier.jpg|thumb|upright|The statue of Charles James Napier in Trafalgar Square, London]]

Every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar ({{Nowrap|21 October}}), the [[Sea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet Corps]] holds a parade in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson and the British victory over the combined fleets of Spain and France at Trafalgar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9624106/Sea-Cadets-in-Battle-of-Trafalgar-parade.html|title=Sea Cadets in Battle of Trafalgar parade|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 October 2012|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083810/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9624106/Sea-Cadets-in-Battle-of-Trafalgar-parade.html|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Royal British Legion]] holds a Silence in the Square event on [[Armistice Day]], 11 November, in remembrance of those who died in war. The event includes music and poetry readings, culminating in a [[bugler]] playing the [[Last Post]] and a [[two-minute silence]] at 11 am.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34783337|title=Armistice Day: Nation remembers war dead|work=BBC News|date=11 November 2015|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114200155/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34783337|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, hundreds of students participated in a protest against climate change as a part of the [[School strike for climate|School strike for Climate]] campaign. The protest started in the nearby [[Parliament Square]], and as the day went on, the demonstrators moved towards Trafalgar Square.<ref>{{Cite web|title=School children across UK strike over climate change|url=https://news.sky.com/story/live-school-children-across-uk-strike-over-climate-change-11637954|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Sky News|language=en}}</ref>

In July 2020, two members of the protest group [[Animal Rebellion]] were arrested on suspicion for criminal damage after releasing red [[dye]] into the fountains.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53377221|title=Trafalgar Square fountains: Two arrested over red dye protest|work=BBC News|date=11 July 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/11/vegan-activists-turn-trafalgar-square-fountains-blood-red-12976501/|title=Vegan activists turn Trafalgar Square fountains blood red|newspaper=Metro|date=11 July 2020|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref>

In September 2020, anti-lockdown protests opposed to the imposition of regulations relating to the coronavirus outbreak took place in the square.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-protesters-and-police-officer-hurt-in-clashes-at-anti-lockdown-rally-in-central-london-12082468|title=Coronavirus: London anti-lockdown protests see 16 arrests as police left in hospital after clashes|website=Sky News}}</ref>

A police observation box has been in the Square since 1919, originally a wooden freestanding unit, it was replaced by hollowing out a lampstand at the southeastern corner of the Square into a permanent structure in 1928, but decommissioned in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/london-smallest-police-station-in-trafalgar-square-isnt-what-its-claimed-to-be-24909/|title=Trafalgar Square's "police station" isn't what it's claimed to be|website=ianVisits|date=8 April 2018 }}</ref>

=== Sport ===
In the 21st century, Trafalgar Square has been the location for several sporting events and [[victory parade]]s. In June 2002, 12,000 people gathered to watch [[England national football team|England]]'s [[2002 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]] quarter-final against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] on giant video screens which had been erected for the occasion.<ref>{{citation|title=England fans mourn defeat|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2055000/2055509.stm|work=BBC News|date=21 June 2002|access-date=24 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408160653/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2055000/2055509.stm|archive-date=8 April 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The square was used by [[England national rugby union team|England]] on {{Nowrap|9 December}} 2003 to celebrate their victory in the [[2003 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/3300061.stm|title=England honours World Cup stars|work=BBC Sport|date=9 December 2003|access-date=16 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021030351/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/3300061.stm|archive-date=21 October 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and on {{Nowrap|13 September}} 2005 for [[England national cricket team|England]]'s victory in [[2005 Ashes|the Ashes]] series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/ashes_2005/4239254.stm|title=Fans hail England's Ashes heroes|work=BBC News|date=13 September 2005|access-date=16 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910205900/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/ashes_2005/4239254.stm|archive-date=10 September 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 July 2005, Trafalgar Square hosted the official watch party for London's bid to host the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] at the [[117th IOC Session]] in [[Singapore]], hosted by [[Katy Hill]] and [[Margherita Taylor]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/6/newsid_4940000/4940112.stm|title=2005: London to host 2012 Olympics|work=BBC News|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209035449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/6/newsid_4940000/4940112.stm|archive-date=9 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A countdown clock was erected in March 2011, although engineering and weather-related faults caused it to stop a day later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8383538/London-2012-Olympics-Trafalgar-Square-countdown-clock-stops.html|title=London 2012 Olympics: Trafalgar Square countdown clock stops|first=Jacquelin|last=Magnay|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=15 March 2011|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223105908/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8383538/London-2012-Olympics-Trafalgar-Square-countdown-clock-stops.html|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, it hosted the opening ceremonies of the [[Tour de France]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/6278942.stm|title=Crowds turn out for Tour opening|work=BBC News|date=6 July 2007|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715164537/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/6278942.stm|archive-date=15 July 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and was part of the course for subsequent races.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/london-gets-ready-to-welcome-back-the-tour-de-france-on-monday|title=London gets ready to welcome back the Tour de France on Monday|publisher=Transport For London|date=4 July 2014|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222173329/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/london-gets-ready-to-welcome-back-the-tour-de-france-on-monday|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other uses ===
[[File:Trafalgar Square Grass - May 2007.jpg|250px|thumb|Trafalgar Square temporarily grassed over in May 2007|alt=Trafalgar Square temporarily grassed over]]
The [[Sea Cadets]] hold a yearly Battle of Trafalgar victory parade running the north of [[Whitehall]], from [[Horse Guard's Parade]] to Nelson's Column.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9624106/Sea-Cadets-in-Battle-of-Trafalgar-parade.html|title=Sea Cadets in Battle of Trafalgar parade|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 October 2012|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622222323/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9624106/Sea-Cadets-in-Battle-of-Trafalgar-parade.html|archive-date=22 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As an archetypal London location, Trafalgar Square featured in film and television productions during the [[Swinging London]] era of the late 1960s, including ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'',<ref>{{cite book|title=Saints and Avengers: British Adventure Series of the 1960s|first=James|last=Chapman|page=72|publisher=I.B.Tauris|year=2002|isbn=978-1-86064-753-6}}</ref> ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'',<ref>{{cite book|title=The Music of James Bond|first=Jon|last=Burlingame|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2012|page=68|isbn=978-0-19-986330-3}}</ref> ''[[Doctor Who]]'',<ref>{{cite book|title=A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television|first=John Kenneth|last=Muir|publisher=McFarland|page=228|year=1999|isbn=978-0-7864-3716-0}}</ref> and ''[[The Ipcress File (film)|The Ipcress File]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=London Film Location Guide|first=Simon|last=James|publisher=Anova Books|page=91|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7134-9062-6}}</ref> It was used for filming several sketches and a cartoon backdrop in the [[BBC]] comedy series ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''.{{sfn|Larsen|2008|p=203}} In May 2007, the square was grassed over with 2,000 square metres of turf for two days in a campaign by London authorities to promote "green spaces" in the city.<ref>{{citation|title=Trafalgar Square green with turf|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6687089.stm|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2007|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827233920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6687089.stm|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2011, due to building works in [[Leicester Square]], the world premiere of the final film in the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' series]], ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'', was held in Trafalgar Square, with a {{convert|0.75|mi|km|adj=on}} red carpet linking the squares. Fans camped in Trafalgar Square for up to three days before the premiere, despite torrential rain. It was the first film premiere ever to be held there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14060308|title=Harry Potter premiere: Stars and fans bid tearful goodbye|first=Tim|last=Masters|work=BBC Entertainment & Arts|date=7 July 2011|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421105815/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14060308|archive-date=21 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The square has seen controversy over [[busking]] and [[street theatre]], which have attracted complaints over noise and public safety.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/buskers-in-the-west-end-could-need-licences-after-outcry-at-noise-a4004631.html|title=Buskers in the West End could need licences after outcry at noise|work=London Evening Standard|date=30 November 2018|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref> In 2012, the [[Greater London Authority]] created a bylaw for regulating busking and associated tourism.{{sfn|Odih|2019|p=346}}<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/trafalgar_square_byelaws.pdf|title=Trafalgar Square Byelaws|work=Greater London Council|pages=3–4|year=2012|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> In 2016, the National Gallery proposed to introduce licensing for such performances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/national-gallery-plans-to-demand-trafalgar-square-buskers-leave-so-it-can-create-one-of-london-s-a6877966.html|title=National Gallery plans to demand Trafalgar Square buskers leave so it can create 'one of London's great parks'|newspaper=The Independent|date=16 February 2016|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref>

== Cultural references ==
A [[Lego]] architecture set based on Trafalgar Square was released in 2019. It contains models of the National Gallery and Nelson's Column alongside miniature lions, fountains and double-decker buses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archdaily.com/914932/legos-next-architecture-set-will-be-londons-trafalgar-square|title=Lego's Next Architecture Set Will Be London's Trafalgar Square|work=Arch Daily|date=11 April 2019|access-date=10 July 2019}}</ref>

Trafalgar Square is one of the squares on the standard British [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly Board]]. It is in the red set alongside the [[Strand, London|Strand]] and [[Fleet Street]].{{sfn|Moore|2003|p=185}}

Several scenes in the dystopian future of [[George Orwell]]'s ''[[Nineteen Eighty Four]]'' take place in Trafalgar Square, which was renamed "Victory Square" by the story's totalitarian regime and dominated by the giant statue of [[Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)|Big Brother]] which replaced Nelson.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Gordon Bowker (writer)|Gordon Bowker]]|url=https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/library/gordon-bowker-orwells-london/|title=Gordon Bowker Orwell's London|date=23 September 2010 |publisher=The Orwell Foundation|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref>

Trafalgar Square features heavily in the London level of [[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4]].

The surname of Trafalgar D. Water Law, a major character in the manga [[One Piece]], is named after Trafalgar Square.

== Other Trafalgar Squares ==
[[File:Trafalgar Square, Sunderland 1.jpg|thumb|right|Trafalgar Square in [[Sunderland]]: a group of [[Merchant seamen|merchant seamen's]] [[almshouses]] dating from 1840]]
A Trafalgar Square in [[Stepney]] is recorded in ''[[Lockie's Topography of London]]'', published in 1810.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lockie |first1=John |title= Lockie's Topography of London and its Environs|year=1810|location=London|url=https://archive.org/stream/lockiestopograph00lockiala/lockiestopograph00lockiala_djvu.txt}}</ref> 

Trafalgar Square in [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire]] gives its name to the Trafalgar Square End at the town's [[North Marine Road Ground, Scarborough|North Marine Road]] cricket ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scarboroughcricketclub.co.uk/the-club/club-heritage/the-scarborough-cricket-club/ground-development|title=Ground Development|publisher=Scarborough Cricket Club|access-date=18 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318020323/http://scarboroughcricketclub.co.uk/the-club/club-heritage/the-scarborough-cricket-club/ground-development|archive-date=18 March 2016}}</ref>

The square known as [[Chelsea Square]], London SW3 was at one time known as Trafalgar Square and predated the one in Westminster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://londonist.com/london/history/london-s-other-trafalgar-square|title = London's Other Trafalgar Square|date = 30 May 2017}}</ref>

[[National Heroes Square]] in [[Bridgetown]], [[Barbados]], was named Trafalgar Square in 1813, before its better-known British namesake. It was renamed in 1999 to commemorate national heroes of Barbados.<ref>{{cite book|title=Barbados Adventure Guides Series|first=Keith|last=Whiting|publisher=Hunter Publishing|page=35|year=2012|isbn=978-1-58843-652-8}}</ref> 

There is a life scale replica of the square in [[Bahria Town]], [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]] where it is a tourist attraction and centre for local residents.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Safe Behind Their Walls|url=http://www.newsweek.com/safe-behind-their-walls-93819|magazine=Newsweek|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507141511/http://www.newsweek.com/safe-behind-their-walls-93819|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Canada House]]
*[[Parliament Square]]
*[[South Africa House]]
*[[Bloody Sunday (1887)]] – riots focused on Trafalgar Square.
*[[List of public art in Trafalgar Square and the vicinity]]

== References ==

'''Notes'''
{{Notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist|30em}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|title=Sir Edwin Lutyens|last=Barker|first=Michael|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7478-0582-3}}
*{{cite book|title=The History of the Social-Democratic Federation|last=Crick|first=Martin|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=1994|isbn=978-1-85331-091-1}}
*{{Cite book|title=Monty Python's Flying Circus: An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References|last=Larsen|first=Darl|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8108-6131-2}}
*{{cite book|title=If Britain Had Fallen: The Real Nazi Occupation Plans|last=Longmate|first=Norman|publisher=Frontline Books|year=2012|isbn=978-1-84832-647-7|edition=reprinted / illustrated}}
*{{cite book|title=Trafalgar Square: Emblem of Empire|last=Mace|first=Rodney|publisher=[[Lawrence and Wishart]]|year=1976|isbn=978-0-85315-368-9|location=London|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/dialogueonspain0000unse}} Second edition published as {{cite book|title=Trafalgar Square: Emblem of Empire|last=Mace|first=Rodney|publisher=Lawrence and Wishart|year=2005|isbn=978-1-905007-11-0|edition=2nd|location=London}}
*{{cite book|title=Do Not Pass Go|last=Moore|first=Tim|publisher=Vintage|year=2003|isbn=978-0-09-943386-6}}
*{{cite encyclopedia|year=2008|title=The London Encyclopedia|publisher=Pan MacMillan|last1=Weinreb|first1=Ben|isbn=978-1-4050-4924-5|ref={{harvid|Weinreb et al.|2008}}|last2=Hibbert|first2=Christopher|last3=Keay|first3=Julia|last4=Keay|first4=John}}
{{refend}}
*{{cite book|title=Adsensory Urban Ecology Volume Two|last=Odih|first=Pamela|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|year=2019|isbn=978-1-5275-2468-2}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.blitzandblight.com/fourth-plinth |title=Fourth Plinth |date=12 February 2007 |publisher=blitzandblight.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708013959/http://www.blitzandblight.com/fourth-plinth |archive-date=8 July 2011 |access-date=14 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Stone to Build London: Portland's Legacy |last=Hackman |first=Gill |publisher=Folly Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-9564405-9-4 |location=Monkton Farleigh |oclc=910854593}} Book includes details of the Portland stone buildings around Trafalgar Square, including St Martin in the Fields, the National Gallery and Admiralty Arch.
* {{cite book |title=Trafalgar Square: Through the Camera|last=Hargreaves|first=Roger|publisher=[[National Portrait Gallery (United Kingdom)|National Portrait Gallery Publications]] |year=2005|isbn=978-1-85514-345-6|location=London}}
* {{cite book |title=Trafalgar Square |last=Holt |first=Gavin |publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]] |year=1934 |location=London |oclc=220695363}}
* {{cite book |title=Trafalgar Square: A Visual History of London's Landmark through Time|last=Hood |first=Jean |publisher=Batsford|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7134-8967-5 |location=London}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
<!--Please arrange alphabetically, as far as possible. Put links to news articles in footnotes in the main text or under "Further reading", above.-->
{{Commons and category|Trafalgar Square|Trafalgar Square}}
*[http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/ Official website of Trafalgar Square on the Mayor of London's website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307120559/http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/ |date=7 March 2011 }}
*[http://wxyzwebcams.com/en/webcam-1353.php Trafalgar Square webcam from Wxyz Webcams]

{{Trafalgar Square}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Trafalgar Square| ]]
[[Category:1845 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Art gallery districts]]
[[Category:Battle of Trafalgar]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1845]]
[[Category:Fountains in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Horatio Nelson]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in London]]
[[Category:National squares]]
[[Category:Regency London]]
[[Category:Road junctions in London]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in London]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Works of Edwin Lutyens in England]]
[[Category:A4 road (England)]]
[[Category:Grade I listed parks and gardens in London]]
[[Category:Charles Barry buildings]]