Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Central London, England
Record Id: 3289
The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest:
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
The square, named Trafalgar Square in 1830, occupies the area of the former Great Mews of the Crown Stables, these having been made redundant with the building of new stabling behind Buckingham Palace in 1824-1825. The site forms part of John Nash's grand scheme of Metropolitan Improvements which transformed the capital, providing the essential link between his processional route of Regent Street and the Strand. Nash (1752-1835) was invited to prepare a design for the area, which obtained parliamentary sanction through the Charing Cross Act of 1826. The square, standing at the head of Charing Cross and Whitehall, was connected by Nash to Pall Mall through the construction of Pall Mall East, and to the Strand by the West Strand development. A proposed avenue to the British Museum was not built. William Wilkins (1778-1839) was made responsible for the design of the square but after his death, Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860) took over.
Due to its prominent central location, the site is frequently used for public meetings, political rallies, demonstrations, and celebrations.
People associated with this site
Sculptor: George Gamon Adams (born 1821 died 1898)
Sculptor: E. H. Baily (born 1788 died 1867)
Architect: Sir Herbert Baker (born 09/06/1862 died 04/02/1946)
Sculptor: Edward Behnes
Sculptor: John Edward Carew (born 1782 died 30/11/1868)
Sculptor: Sir Francis Chantrey (born 07/04/1781 died 25/11/1841)
Sculptor: Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (born 07/03/1802 died 01/10/1873)
Architect: Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (born 29/03/1869 died 01/01/1944)
Sculptor: Pietro Carlo Giovanni Battista Marochetti, Baron Marochetti in the nobility of Sardinia (born 14/01/1805 died 29/12/1867)
Sculptor: William McMillan (born 31/08/1887 died 25/09/1977)
Architect: John Nash (born 1752 died 1835)
Architect: William Railton (born 1801 died 13/10/1877)
Architect: Sir Robert Smirke (born 01/10/1780 died 18/04/1867)
Sculptor: J. Ternmouth (born 1795 died 1849)
Sculptor: Sir William Hamo Thornycroft (born 09/03/1850 died 1925)
Sculptor: Musgrave Lewthwaite Watson (born 1804 died 1847)
Sculptor: Charles Wheeler (born 1892 died 1974)
Architect: William Wilkins the Younger (born 31/08/1778 died 31/08/1839)
Features
column
Nelson Column.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade I
building
The site is enclosed by several listed buildings, including The National Gallery, St Martin's in the Fields church, Canada House and South Africa House. All are listed.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building
statue
There are statues of Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, General Sir Charles Napier and General Kitchener.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
sculpture
fountain
© Copyright Parks and Gardens Data Services Ltd. 2007