Trafalgar Square, London

Trafalgar Square spreads out as a public square framed by the National Gallery, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Canada House and South Africa House. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory over France and Spain on 21 October 1805, off Cape Trafalgar. The broad paving and open space make the square feel ceremonial, but this has also been a place for public life: community gatherings, political demonstrations, anti-war protests and climate campaigns have all taken place here.

Rising from the centre is Nelson's Column, a monument to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's victory at Trafalgar. The column measures 169 feet, or 52 m, and four monumental bronze lions guard it. Around it, fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens add movement to the stone setting.

Look across the northern terrace towards the National Gallery: the square was shaped during a redevelopment led by John Nash and Charles Barry, and it opened in 1844. Since 1999, the fourth plinth has carried changing artworks, turning an empty architectural platform into a continuing public gallery. A Christmas tree donated by Norway has also stood here each year since 1947, for twelve days before and after Christmas Day.