Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a centre of both cultural and social significance.

The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery in the north of the square are popular tourist attractions, the artwork within oozing culture and history, and the lion-flanked Nelson's Column in the centre stands tall and proud at 52m (170ft) high, a symbol of Britain's victory over France in the Napoleonic wars.

Four plinths surround the square, three of which house statues of various significant historical figures. Due to insufficient funds, the fourth plinth remained empty until 1999 when the Royal Society of Arts came up with the novel idea of the Fourth Plinth Project; a platform for artistic displays and non-commissioned public stunts. In May 2010 the first installation by the artist Shonibare was a 1:30 scale replica of HMS Victory in a giant glass bottle, representing the provenance of Trafalgar Square.

Come to find out what latest artistic creation is on display on the fourth plinth, have your photo taken with a ferocious bronze lion and enjoy a light lunch by the fountains or in a nearby cafe.