Trafalgar Square: What to See and What's Nearby
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
- Reserve now, pay later
- Wheelchair accessible
A brief but essential stop — 20 to 30 minutes is enough for the square itself, longer if you go into the free National Gallery. Its real value is as the hub connecting Covent Garden, Westminster and the West End; almost every walking route through central London passes through it at some point.
Highlights
- See Nelson's Column, flanked by four bronze lions cast from captured cannons
- Check out the fourth plinth's rotating contemporary art commission
- Step into the free National Gallery, home to Van Gogh, Turner and da Vinci
- Use it as London's hub — Covent Garden, Westminster and the West End all a short walk away
Nelson's Column and the lions
The 52-metre column commemorating Admiral Nelson's victory at Trafalgar dominates the square, flanked by four bronze lions that have become one of London's most photographed spots — expect a queue to sit on one for a photo on busy days. The column and lions are viewing-only; there's no way to climb or go inside.
The fourth plinth
Three of the square's plinths hold permanent 19th-century statues. The fourth stood empty for over 150 years before becoming a rotating contemporary art commission in 1999 — a new piece is selected roughly every one to two years, making it one of the most visible public art platforms anywhere. Worth a look regardless of when you visit; whatever's currently installed is usually a talking point.
Trafalgar Square is a natural stop on a wider central London walking tour, covering Covent Garden, the Strand and beyond.
From £18The National Gallery
On the square's north side, the National Gallery's permanent collection is free to enter — no booking, no ticket. Over 2,300 paintings span the 13th to 20th centuries, including major works by Van Gogh, Turner, Vermeer, and da Vinci. Allow at least an hour if you're going in properly; the collection is genuinely world-class and often much quieter than the British Museum.
Getting there and around
Charing Cross station (National Rail and Bakerloo/Northern lines) sits directly on the square's south side. Leicester Square (Piccadilly/Northern lines) is a 5-minute walk north. From the square: Covent Garden is 10 minutes northeast, Buckingham Palace 15 minutes southwest down The Mall, and Westminster Abbey and Big Ben 15 minutes south.
Trafalgar Square: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but as a 20–30 minute stop rather than a destination — it's the geographic and symbolic centre of London, free, and directly connects to the National Gallery, Covent Garden and Westminster. Most visitors pass through it as part of a longer walk rather than visiting it specifically.
A 52-metre granite column topped with a statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, commemorating his victory (and death) at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Completed in 1843, it's flanked by four bronze lions added in 1867, cast partly from captured French cannons. Climbing isn't possible — it's a monument, not an observation point.
Three of the square's four plinths hold permanent statues; the fourth stood empty for over 150 years before becoming a rotating contemporary art commission in 1999. A new artwork is selected every 1–2 years by public vote and expert panel — it's one of the most visible public art platforms in the world and worth checking what's currently on display.
Yes — the National Gallery's permanent collection, on the square's north side, is free to enter, no ticket required. It houses over 2,300 paintings including works by Van Gogh, Turner, and da Vinci. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately.
Covent Garden is a 10-minute walk northeast. Buckingham Palace is a 15-minute walk southwest down The Mall. Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are a 15-minute walk south. Leicester Square and the West End theatre district are immediately north.