The most prominent building in Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery. Here you will find one of the greatest collections of art in the western world. The gallery’s permanent collection consists of nearly two and a half thousand paintings dating back to the 13th century from some of the world’s best-known artists. These include Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Turner, Constable, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Cezanne. Entrance to the gallery is free and there are also two guided tours throughout the day.

St Martins-in-the-Fields church is the parish church to Buckingham Palace  and  after it was built in the 1720's it became the model for countless Anglican churches around the world. It  is  a  distinctive and highly photogenic part of the square which  is currently undergoing  renovation work to give it an even grander pavilion entrance.
Lunchtime recitals here are usually free and the candlelight evening concerts are extremely popular.  Jazz concerts can now also be enjoyed in the newly restored Crypt café.

Opposite the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields and forming part of the building which houses the National Gallery collection, is the National Portrait Gallery. Here you will be able to see many different portraits of notable historic figures. Spread over three floors, the tour begins with the Tudor dynasty and the Wars of the Roses. The portrait of William Shakespeare is interesting as it is said to be one of only two likenesses to be painted in his lifetime. 

These gentle, light-hearted walks, accompanied by our friendly Big Bus Guides, show you the heart and soul of our great city often in areas where our buses can't get to. While your Big Bus ticket is valid you may take as many walks as you like ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE. If you do not have an all-inclusive Big Bus ticket, you are still very welcome to join us at a price of £5 per walk. All our walks leave from our Trafalgar Square stops 9 and 37 (outside the Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery). All the walks last approximately 1½ - 2 hours.

Trafalgar Square is one of the capital's most popular tourist attractions. Steeped in history, the square stands today as a memorial to perhaps the nation’s greatest hero, Admiral Lord Nelson. The centrepiece column and statue of Nelson towers 170 feet above the square. Guarded by four bronze lions it is one of London’s most iconic images. The four lions, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer are said to be made from metal captured from French cannons during the Napoleonic Wars in which Nelson was a key figure until his death at Trafalgar in 1805.
The square has a statue at each corner, General Sir Charles James Napier, Major General Sir Henry Havelock and King George IV, the fourth corner will be set aside to provide  space for modern contemporary pieces to be displayed on a temporary basis.

In December the square is home to a huge traditional Christmas tree, an annual gift from the people of Norway to commemorate Britain’s help during the Second World War. The annual carol singing in the square features choirs and bands from around the country and signals the countdown to Christmas. If you are visiting the capital during the festive season, a night time visit to the square should be top of your list of things to do in London. And of course the best views of all the festive lights are from the top of a Big Bus London sightseeing tour!
As well as the traditional Christmas celebrations, Trafalgar Square plays a big role in multi cultural Britain with the Russian winter festival, the Chinese new year, the Sikh new year festival Vaisakhi and the Hindu Diwali all having celebrations here.

Horatio Nelson immortalised atop the column in Trafalgar Square

A few minutes walk from the Trafalgar Square tour stop is The London Coliseum. Situated in St Martin’s Lane the Coliseum started life as one of the grandest variety theatres in the capital. Opening in 1904 the theatre was built on a grand scale eclipsing even the Theatre Royal Drury lane.
The building has an adopted Italian Renaissance facade with dark granite columns and arches forming the entrances, and was recently restored to its original Victorian grandeur. It is best known for staging operas in English.

St Martins in the fields church, The London Coliseum &              Nelsons Column clustered together in Trafalgar Square