Around Europe in 11 Days -- (4th of Series)

January 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

Part of an afternoon activity for Benjie and Carmen Gonzales on their second day in London was a relaxing stroll at the Trafalgar Square. Situated at the heart of London, Trafalgar Square is one of the city’s most vibrant open spaces.  

 

Built between 1827 and 1835, Trafalgar Square has since become the centre for political demonstrations that regularly occur today.  The Square is also the main point in London for New Year celebrations and which image is transmitted around the world as London welcomes a new year.

 

The square honors one of England’s heroes, Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.  A 145 foot granite column named after him dominates Trafalgar Square. At the base of the column are a set of giant Lion statues. Other lesser statues are dotted around the square. The Gonzales’s learned that directly underneath the Nelson’s Column is a government bunker installed in the 1950’s in preparation for nuclear war.

 

Other statues in the square include Charles I, George IV, Admiral Beatty, Admiral Cunningham, Admiral Jellico, General Napier and General Havelock.

 

Dominating the northern side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery, which is one of London’s largest and most impressive art galleries.  Facing the Gallery to the right at the bottom of the central staircase is, the Café.

 

Benjie and Carmen were delighted to see a coffee shop where travelers can stop for a quick rest and snack as they go on with their stroll. But more than just coffee and snacks, the Cafe offers an all-day menu, a bar and sumptuous seasonal treats. Food and beverages that have been freshly prepared from natural ingredients and are locally sourced are served in a warm and inviting environment. The café can be accessed via the elevators near the north terrace, is wheelchair accessible, and has a low-level counter and induction loop. The cafe is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm.  Around the corner of the building is the National Portrait Gallery.  Both are open to the public free of charge.

 

On the eastern side of Trafalgar Square is a church which has stood there since the 13th century. Inside the church are a coffee shop, a bookshop, a homeless shelter, craft market and the London Brass Rubbing Center.

 

At the south western corner of Trafalgar Square is The Mall, a long straight and wide boulevard that connects the Square with Buckingham Palace through St. James Park. At the entrance to the mall from Trafalgar Square is Admiralty Arch, a grand imposing structure built in 1911 as a memorial to Queen Victoria. Government apartments and offices are housed in the area today.

 

At the southern exit to Trafalgar Square is Whitehall.  It is from this junction that all roads are connecting to the Westminster Abbey and the House of Parliament.

 

To the north and east of Trafalgar Square is the main Theatre District around Leicester Square and Covent Garden, which come alive in the evening. To the south and southwest of Trafalgar Square is the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, which we will feature in our next column.

The nearest London Underground station to Trafalgar Square is Charing Cross on the northern side and Bakerloo Lines. Also convenient is Leicester Square just north of Trafalgar Square.  As the Square is strategically located in the centre of London, travelers somehow pass through or around it.

 

If you want to experience what the Gonzales's experienced in their European tour, call us at Travel International, (310) 327-5143 and our travel specialists will be more than happy to book your flight and plan your itinerary. You can also visit us on the web, www.travelinternational.net.