Nelson's Column
Nelson's Column
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Ranked as one of London's greatest landmarks, this 185-foot high monument (circa 1843) looks down on the busy streets, fountains and swirling traffic of Trafalgar Square.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Trafalgar Square / Embankment
With its iconic Nelson’s Column, majestic oversized lions and brightly-lit fountains, Trafalgar Square is not just considered the heart of this bustling London hub, but the very core of the city itself. Beyond this esteemed gathering place are more famous icons, as well as a disproportionate numbers of the city’s most popular cultural attractions including the National Gallery and many West End theaters. Along the way to these major sites are quiet lanes and antiquated pubs to discover, as well as riverside vistas to enjoy on the embankment. With a calendar full of celebratory events, any time of year is a fine time to visit.
How to get there
- Charing Cross • 1 min walk
- Embankment • 5 min walk
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10,000 within 3 miles
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2,403 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
889 reviews
Excellent
321
Very good
378
Average
175
Poor
15
Terrible
0
Michael W
Preston, UK3,984 contributions
Aug 2021
We were stopping in an Hotel located on the Strand which is only a short walk away from Trafalger Square and Nelsons Column. The Square where Nelsons Column and the world famous Lion Statues are located is a huge area and a great place to visit, take in the sights chillax and people watch. Unfortunately during our visits there the area had been taken over by a group of protesters so we and any others were being kept away from the central area where the fountain and lion statues are located.
Written 25 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bon viveur
London, UK2,431 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
I must have passed this London icon over a thousand times. This week, in bright blue skies, I took the time to really look and admire it. The lions at the base are majestic and the column sits magnificently in Trafalgar Square, flanked by wonderful galleries and pointing towards Westminster or Buckingham Palace.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray
Staines, UK798 contributions
Mar 2021
The one eyed and one armed good ol' Admiral Horatio Nelson. Britain's greatest war hero has been given the highest spot in the city. This is the most central point in London geographically and touristy as hell. The whole column including 4 lions has been copied by many countries and the cheap looking smaller replicas can be found in many different cities around the world. During WW2, Hitler was so impressed with this imposing powerful structure that he ordered German air force to not bomb it so he could move and reinstall it in Berlin.
Even though the statue is high above and far away from any vandalism but it's the favourite spot for protesters of various causes who have a habit of climbing to the top to make their point. It's also been a victim of lightning and pesty pigeons which is why it has to be steam cleaned every now and then. Wish the Royal Navy would employ some snipers 24/7 in honor of him to shoot all the pigeons that crap everywhere as well as the people who feed them.
Even though the statue is high above and far away from any vandalism but it's the favourite spot for protesters of various causes who have a habit of climbing to the top to make their point. It's also been a victim of lightning and pesty pigeons which is why it has to be steam cleaned every now and then. Wish the Royal Navy would employ some snipers 24/7 in honor of him to shoot all the pigeons that crap everywhere as well as the people who feed them.
Written 9 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL21,930 contributions
Dec 2022
Trafalgar Square is a must see in London and at is heart is a column with the most important naval hero in British History, Admiral Nelson, for the Battle of Trafalgar. The column and surrounding statues dominate the open space. It is a great open space in the city where there are always people congregating.
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,149 contributions
Jul 2022
This 50-meter high column is located in Trafalgar Square. The top of the column is bearing a 5.5-meter high statue of Admiral Nelson.
The monument commemorates his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar when the British naval had a win in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.
The monument commemorates his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar when the British naval had a win in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan7,358 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This column is one of the most iconic landmarks of London. You can see it in the Trafalgar Square. It is a 169 feet high structure which was built in 1843. It honours
Admiral Horatio Nelson who was the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. This monument was designed by William Railton. The statue of Nelson, who died in this battle, is made out of Craigleith Sandstone. It stands on a Corinthian Column. I feel that Nelson appears to be looking towards the Admiralty Building in Whitehall. The column is made of Dartmoor Granite. Do not miss the reliefs on the base, which are made out of French and Spanish canons captured during this battle. They depict four of Nelson’s most famous battles. Four grand bronze lions, created by Edwin Landseer, were added to the base in 1867. I really like the look of this column.
Admiral Horatio Nelson who was the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. This monument was designed by William Railton. The statue of Nelson, who died in this battle, is made out of Craigleith Sandstone. It stands on a Corinthian Column. I feel that Nelson appears to be looking towards the Admiralty Building in Whitehall. The column is made of Dartmoor Granite. Do not miss the reliefs on the base, which are made out of French and Spanish canons captured during this battle. They depict four of Nelson’s most famous battles. Four grand bronze lions, created by Edwin Landseer, were added to the base in 1867. I really like the look of this column.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffryb
Keysborough, Australia366 contributions
Sept 2020
Nelson's Column is in the middle of one of London's busiest traffic intersections., Trafalgar Square. The Column is 170 feet (50 metres) tall. Admiral Nelson led the English fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy's greatest victory By the way, look out for trhe lions at the base of the Column.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy-S60
London, UK1,902 contributions
Jan 2020
Good old Lord Nelson; all 125 feet of him. He seemed happy and contented last night, illuminated from across the street by a powerful spotlight, it seemed most just that he stood there in all his glory, looking down over the madness of all the traffic, people, noise and bustle below him. Rise above it all, my Lord. Oh, you have!!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo K
Worcester, UK8,818 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Distance in London is measured by Nelsons column. He has stood watch over London.
Beautiful Feb afternoon for our visit to Trafalgar square. National gallery opposite as well. It's free to get in.
Beautiful Feb afternoon for our visit to Trafalgar square. National gallery opposite as well. It's free to get in.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexanderD
Jackson, NJ5,743 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We stopped to admire this landmark after enjoying the national gallery. My daughter posed on it when she was six. Now she is fourteen and she posed again.
Seriously, though. It is a fitting monument to man whose victory at Trafalgar off the coast of Spain thwarted a potential invasion of England by Napoleon.
Seriously, though. It is a fitting monument to man whose victory at Trafalgar off the coast of Spain thwarted a potential invasion of England by Napoleon.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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