Figure 1--Here an unidentified boy is feeding the pigons at Trafalgur Square, probably after school. He is wearing his school uniform and is with his mother. She may have brought him into London to go shopping. We think the imposing building is the background is the National Portrait Gallery. We do not think its South Africa House which is east of Nelson's Column. The boy wears his school blazer, but we cannot see the badge. Notice the knee socks with colored garters (flashes). These were often done in school or house colors. Also notice the school sandals.

Trafalgar Square in central London is perhaps the most famous urban space in the world. It is located near Whitehall the traditional center of British government. At its center is the huge colum to honor Lord Nelson. The name of the square come from Nelsons great victory at Trafalgur over the combined French and Spanish fleets during the Napoleoic wars (1805). It ended any hope Napoleon had of invading Britain. Trafalgar sounds very English to us today, but it was a Spanish word -- Cabo Trafalgar in southern Spain. It was the location where Nelso fought the Battle of Trafalgar. The Square includes statues and fountains and people love to enjoy the water and feed the pigeons. The square is surounded by imposing building, including the National Gallery. London as the city emerged from the medieval era grew up around what is now Trafalgur Square. The area of Trafalgar Square was once the courtyard of the Great Mews stabling for Whitehall Palace (14th and 17th centurues). The area was known as Charing Cross. Architect John Nash after King George IV moved the mews (stables) to Buckingham Palace, began to develop 'a new street from Charing Cross to Portland Place'. His concept was for it to be a cultural space open to the public (1812). The site was formally named Trafalgar Square (1830). Construction of the National Galery began (1832). Sir Charles Barry created a plan to develop Trafalgar Square. His concept included the Nelson memorial statue and two fountains (1838). Nelson's Column, designed by William Railton, was erected (1843). The fountains were installed (1845). Sir Edwin Landseer designed the bronze lions situated to stand guard at the base of Nelson's Column, esentially completing the major features of the square (1867). The Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall (1876). An English reader writes, "The school boy here is feeding a pigeon (figure 1).but that is not where you would buy the pigeon food or choose to feed them. Most of them hang around the stall holders selling bird food. Most of them hang around the stall holders selling bird food. The Square is full of pigeons. They land on your out stretched arm or head and then get spooked and the whole lot takes to the air. Some children find it good fun but some little ones get distressed when one lands on their head. The authorities don't approve of feeding the pigeons but what can they do? Do not think its a nice place to have a family picnic. The pigeons take all your food."

Location

Trafalgar Square in central London is perhaps the most famous urban space in the world. It is located near Whitehall the traditional center of British government. The central column, bearing a statue of Lord Horatio Nelson guarded by lions, marks the spot considered by mant to be the center of London. The square is surounded by imposing building, including the National Gallery. London as the city emerged from the medieval era grew up around what is now Trafalgur Square. The area of Trafalgar Square was once the courtyard of the Great Mews stabling for Whitehall Palace (14th and 17th centurues). The area was known as Charing Cross.

Features

Trafalgar Square is a huge circular plaza surrounded by roadways on three sides and the National Gallery. Initially it was a one way traffic system so that traffic was avoided by pedestrians through underpasses attached to Charing Cross tube station. Now a new traffic system has been introduced. At its center is the huge 145-foot-high monument to honor Lord Nelson. It is a little stange actually because the statue of Nelson is on top of the impressive column, making it is viurtally impossible for the public go see it. The Square includes statues and water features. And is iunhabited by a flockn of pigeibns who love to fly around the column. People love to enjoy the fountains and feed the pigeons.

Usage

Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular London tourist atteaction. It is located in the heart of London and is a major tourist attraction because of its rich history. Many wiould say a visit to London is incomplete without exploring Trafalgar Square. And it can be combined with with a tour of the National Galary. We see Trafalgar Square being used by both Londners and tourists. Londoners like stopping by to enoy the square. We see quite a few childtren being brought to the square after school to enjoy the warer features and especially to feed the pigeons. They are easy to spot because they are often wearing their school uniforms. An English reader writes, "The school boy here is feeding a pigeon (figure 1).but that is not where you would buy the pigeon food or choose to feed them. Most of them hang around the stall holders selling bird food. The Square is full of pigeons. They land on your out stretched arm or head and then get spooked and the whole lot takes to the air. Some children find it good fun but some little ones get distressed when one lands on their head. The authorities don't approve of feeding the pigeons but what can they do? Do not think its a nice place to have a family picnic. The pigeons take all your food." We also see tourists, both British and foreign tourists enjoying Trafalgur Square. Some merely ride by in a red open-top tourist bus. But many want to actually enjoy the square. Kids can get turned off from tourism. Statues, monuments, art galaries, and museums often do not apeal, especially for the younger chuildren. So a stop at Trafalgur Square can be an appealing respite for the kids. Both the fountains and feeing the pigeions have an intrinic appeal.

Battle of Trafalgur (1805)

he name of the square come from Nelsons great victory at Trafalgur over the combined French and Spanish fleets during the Napoleoic wars (1805). It ended any hope Napoleon had of invading Britain. Trafalgar sounds very English to us today, but it was a Spanish word -- Cabo Trafalgar in southern Spain. It was the location where Nelson fought the decisive Battle of Trafalgar.

Construction

Architect John Nash after King George IV moved the mews (stables) to Buckingham Palace, began to develop 'a new street from Charing Cross to Portland Place'. His concept was for it to be a cultural space open to the public (1812). The site was formally named Trafalgar Square (1830). Construction of the National Galery began (1832). Sir Charles Barry created a plan to develop Trafalgar Square. His concept included the Nelson memorial statue and two fountains (1838). Nelson's Column, designed by William Railton, was erected (1843). The fountains were installed (1845). Sir Edwin Landseer designed the bronze lions situated to stand guard at the base of Nelson's Column, esentially completing the major features of the square (1867). The Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall (1876).