Trafalgar Square

Nelson’s Column

William Railton designed the column and statue to honour Admiral Nelson, after his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The granite statue was sculpted by E. H. Baily. It is five metres high and stands on a bronze platform made from old guns from the Woolwich Arsenal Foundry.

The four bronze panels at the base of the column depict some of Nelson’s battles. The lions, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer, are said to protect Nelson’s Column.

Restoration of Nelson’s Column

Nelson's Column is Grade 1 listed. It is inspected every two years to assess its condition. Recent inspections found that the column was in sound condition, but recommended conservation work to preserve it for future generations.

This work includes repairs to the stonework, cleaning areas of corrosion, protecting the bronze with wax, general cleaning to remove pigeon guano, and pigeon-proofing minor areas.

The restoration team was able to repair damage to the statue using Craigleith sandstone, the original material used to make it. When the Craigleith quarry in Scotland closed sixty years ago it made getting hold of the stone almost impossible, so previous restorers patched Nelson up using a mixture of mortar and cement.

However, some Craigleith stone was found during a restoration of Donaldson's School for the Deaf (an A-listed building in Edinburgh). It was donated to Nelson’s Column restoration by Scottish company Watson Stonecraft.

Fountains

The fountains were added in 1845. The mermaids, dolphins and tritons (the male figures with tails like fish) were installed later. The fountains operate on most days.

Statues and busts

Admiral Beatty

The bronze bust by William MacMillian, Royal Academician is mounted on a granite pilaster against the north wall of the square.

• Date of monument: 1948
• Materials: bronze
• Statutory Status: Grade II

Admiral Jellicoe

The bronze bust by Charles Wheeler, Associate Member of the Royal Academy is mounted on a granite pilaster against the north wall of the square.

• Date of monument: 1948
• Materials: bronze
• Statutory Status: Grade II

Admiral Cunningham

The bronze bust by Franta Besley, is mounted on a granite pilaster against the North wall of the square.

• Date of monument: 1967
• Materials: bronze
• Statutory Status: Grade II

The plinths

There are four plinths for statues in the square. Bronze statues stand on three of them:

General Sir Charles James Napier 

The bronze statue by G G Adams stands on a granite pedestal on the South West Corner of the square.

• Date of monument: 1856
• Materials: granite and bronze
• Statutory Status: Grade II

Major General Sir Henry Havelock 

The bronze statue by W Behnes stands on a Dartmoor granite pedestal on the South East corner of the square.

Date of monument: 1861

Materials: granite and bronze

Statutory Status: Grade II

King George IV 

The bronze equestrian statue by Sir Francis Chantery stands on a granite pedestal to the North East corner of the square.

Date of monument: 1843

Materials: granite and bronze

Statutory Status: Grade II

The fourth plinth, in the northwest of the square, was empty for many years. It is now managed by a Commissioning Group Panel of specialist advisors. This group guides and monitors the commissions for the plinth. The content presents world-class contemporary artworks in the public realm.

In 1876 the Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall. Surveyors can still check ‘Perches’, ‘Chains’ and other archaic measures against feet and yards. When the central staircase was added, the measures were relocated, and you can now find information about them outside the café on the square.

Probably the smallest police box ever built can be found on the southeast corner of the square. There was originally a lamp, built in 1826. In 1926, Scotland Yard installed a telephone line and light which the police could use to call for assistance. It is now used for storage.