Luggage storage near Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of London, England's most iconic public spaces. It is located in the heart of the city and is named after the Battle of Trafalgar, a naval battle fought during the Napoleonic Wars in 1805, where the British Navy won a great victory over the French. The history of Trafalgar Square dates back to the early 19th century when it was first proposed as a public space by the architect George Ledwell Taylor in 1809. The square was officially opened in 1844 and was intended to be a grand public space for the common people of London. The square was designed in the neoclassical style and was inspired by the grand public spaces of Paris.

One of the most notable features of Trafalgar Square is Nelson's Column, which stands in the center of the square. The column is a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died during the Battle of Trafalgar. The column is topped by a statue of Nelson and is surrounded by four lion statues, which were sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer. The column is 169 feet (51.5 meters) tall and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London. Another notable feature of Trafalgar Square is the four plinths located at its corners. Three of the plinths hold famous figures from British history, but one on the northwest corner was left empty for many years. In recent years, this has been used to display contemporary artworks as part of the "Fourth Plinth" project. The National Gallery is located on the north side of Trafalgar Square and is one of the most visited art museums in the world. The gallery has a collection of over 2,300 paintings and is home to works by some of the most famous artists in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Van Gogh. The National Portrait Gallery is also located on the square and has a collection of over 200,000 portraits, including many famous figures from British history.

The square is the site of many festivals and events throughout the year, including the New Year's Eve celebrations, the St. Patrick's Day parade, and the Chinese New Year. It’s also home to the largest Christmas tree in London, an annual gift from the people of Norway and a symbol of the strong friendship between the two countries. It is lit up on the first day of December and remains lit until the twelfth night. Another fun fact is that Trafalgar Square has a resident colony of pigeons which have become a popular tourist attraction - however, due to the mess and health hazards caused by the birds, the local council has put restrictions on feeding them!