Nelson's Column, London

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Nelson's Column is a monument at Trafalgar Square, London. It commemorates the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The entire monument is 50 metres (169 ft 5 in) from the bottom first step to the tip of Nelson's hat, according to laser survey done during restoration in 2006. It includes the 5.5m (18 ft) statue of Nelson facing in the direction of the Palace of Westminster and along Pall Mall.

Statue of Admiral Nelson on Nelson's Column
Author: RedCoat (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Nelson stands on top of a Corinthian column based on one from the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome. At the top of the column are bronze acanthus leaves cast from British cannons. Below the column is a square pedestal, and on each face is a bronze panel cast from captured French guns. Each panel depicts one of Nelson's four great victories.

Nelson's Column was made in 1838. It was designed by William Railton. The sandstone statue of Nelson was sculptured by E.H. Baily. The four bronze panels were done by sculptors Musgrave Watson, John Ternouth, William F Woodington and John Edward Carew. The whole monument costs 47,500 pounds, equivalent to 3.5 million pounds in 2004 terms. Four lions, by Sir Edwin Landseer, were added in 1867.

Getting there

Nearest Tube Station: Charing Cross and Leicester Square
Buses: Nos. 11, 12, 24 and 88
Nearest Tourist Office: Britain Visitor Centre, 1 Lower Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus SW1Y 4XT

What to see

Nelson's Column is located right at the centre of Trafalgar Square. There is plenty to see all around, and the view of the square with the fountains, ponds and the National Gallery at the background, is quite scenic.