Trafalgar Square was laid out in 1829 to 1841 to celebrate Nelson’s victory at the Battle of the same name in 1805. The statue was built more then 20 years later.
The column on which Lord Nelson stands is 185 feet high and Lord Nelson himself is a massive 18 feet high although you wouldn’t know it when you look at him from the ground.
The four massive Bronze panels which decorating the base of the column are cast from the guns of French guns captured during the Napoleonic wars. Each panel depicts a scene from the Naval Battle in which the Guns were captured. Around the base of the column are the four giant bronze lions decorated by Landseer.
The fir tree that is set up in the square each Christmas is an Annual gift from Norway to say thanks you to the British for their help during World War II. Also, there are traditional celebrations in the Square on New Year’s Eve when people even jump into the fountains when Big Ben rings in the New Year. If you want to join in these celebrations, you will need to get there several hours before midnight as it becomes very crowded.
Trafalgar Square is probably most famous for its pigeons. Pigeon food is usually on sale but anyone who proposes to feed the pigeons should be warned that these birds are very tame and will flock around you, even landing on your head for a chance to get at the food. After all what would Trafalgar Square be without pigeons?
Comely Street Natural Park Situated at 12 Comely Street, London, this park is one of 50 or so nature reserves managed by the London Wildlife Trust. London is a surprisingly green city with an abundance of wildlife and woodland grassland marsh and ponds scattered throughout. At this park community events and environmental activities are held on a regular basis and there is also a fully subscribed educational programme throughout term time.
Madame Tussaud’sMadame Tussaud was born Marie Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg. She learned the art of wax modelling from Phillipe Curtius, a doctor, who employed Marie’s mother. Marie served in the court of Louis XVI who along with Marie Antoinette was guillotined in 1793 during the French Revolution. She was required to make death masks of the former king and others who had suffered the same fate. On inheriting the wax figure collection of Phillipe Curtius, Madame Tussaud as she then was travelled to Britain with her collection and in 1835 opened her museum in London. Since then it has been refurbished and renovated and is constantly adding to its vast collection, although the figures on display are replaced from time to time to keep the exhibition fresh and up-to-date. The exhibition is spread over various sections: there is a very harrowing and macabre Chamber of Horrors – murderers, villains; the Garden Party – politicians, film and sports stars; 200 years of Madame Tussaud’s – from 18th century figures to the present; The Spirit of London – a taxi-ride through 400 years of London; the Grand Hall – royalty and heads of state on display. Whilst here take time to visit the Rock Circus and the Planetarium. A combined ticket is available for Madame Tussauds and the Planetarium. There are often long queues for entry to this attraction so it is advisable to pre-book tickets by telephone.
Carlyle’s HouseThis Queen Anne house is part of a terrace in a quiet backwater in old Chelsea and was home to Thomas Carlyle from 1834 until his death in 1881. Thomas Carlyle was a well-known author, essayist and historian who entertained many literary figures here such as Charles Dickens, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Chopin and George Eliot. His works include The French Revolution. The house was turned into a museum in 1895 and it is apparent that much of his furniture, books and other possessions are still in place today. There is also a charming little Victorian walled garden.