Statues and fountains

Nelson’s Column

Nelson's Column and lion - photo by James O Jenkins William Railton designed the column and statue to honour Admiral Nelson (1758-1805), following 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 castings are from guns captured at battles.

The lions, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer, are said to protect Nelson’s Column.

Nelson's Column underwent restoration in 2006.

Fountains

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

Statues

There are four plinths for statues in the square. Bronze statues stand on three of them: General Sir Charles James Napier is on the plinth in the southwest of the square, Major General Sir Henry Havelock on the southeast plinth and King George IV on the northeast plinth.

The fourth plinth, in the northwest of the square, was empty for many years. ‘Alison Lapper pregnant’, a sculpture by Marc Quinn, was taken down in October 2007 and is a part of a rotating programme of modern art. Thomas Schütte’s sculpture, Model for a Hotel 2007, will be unveiled on Wednesday 7 November 2007.

Imperial Measures

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.

Police box

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.


Trafalgar Square	Home > Around the square > Statues and fountains
Visiting the square In and around Statues Nelson's Column Fourth Plinth Neighbours Events Managing the square Transformation History	Statues and fountains Nelson’s Column William Railton designed the column and statue to honour Admiral Nelson (1758-1805), following 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 castings are from guns captured at battles. The lions, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer, are said to protect Nelson’s Column. Nelson's Column underwent restoration in 2006. Fountains The fountains were added in 1845, and the mermaids, dolphins and tritons (which are the male figures with tails like fish) were installed later. The fountains operate on most days. Statues There are four plinths for statues in the square. Bronze statues stand on three of them: General Sir Charles James Napier is on the plinth in the southwest of the square, Major General Sir Henry Havelock on the southeast plinth and King George IV on the northeast plinth. The fourth plinth, in the northwest of the square, was empty for many years. ‘Alison Lapper pregnant’, a sculpture by Marc Quinn, was taken down in October 2007 and is a part of a rotating programme of modern art. Thomas Schütte’s sculpture, Model for a Hotel 2007, will be unveiled on Wednesday 7 November 2007. Imperial Measures 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. Police box 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.	Did you know? Trafalgar Square was built on land previously occupied by the Great Mews (stables) - see the History of the square.