Trafalgar Square Trivia Quiz

Answer: To commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar

The square was originally to be called King William the Fourth's Square. The name Trafalgar Square was suggested by George Ledwell Taylor, an architect and landowner who lived in London, after Nelson's famous naval victory at Cape Trafalgar.

Answer: 150 feet

The statue of Horatio Nelson is approximately 18 feet tall and stands on top of a column which is approximately 150 feet high. The actual total height of the monument is 169 feet 5 3/4 inches as measured by laser. (Source: emporis.com)

Whilst it is commonly thought by most people that Nelson was an admiral, the highest military rank he reached was Admiral in the White, or a Vice Admiral under the command of the Admiral in the Red (or Admiral of the Fleet).

Answer: Edwin Landseer

The four lions are rumoured to have been cast from melted down bronze cannons, reclaimed from the French fleet.

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer is probably best known for his paintings - mainly of animals - among which is 'The Monarch of the Glen', depicting a large stag standing on top of a misty hill. This painting has been used by a number of companies for advertising purposes, including Pears soap and Glenfiddich whiskey.

Answer: The National Gallery

The National Gallery normally has had over four and a half million visitors every year (Source: alva.org.uk, 2009). Visitors come to view 2,300 works of art by various artists including Monet, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Cezanne and Van Gogh. Among the paintings on display is Vincent Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'.

Answer: Admiralty Arch

Admiralty Arch was completed in 1911. The large centre arch is normally only used on ceremonial occasions, with the two arches to either side being used for normal vehicular traffic. In the archway to the left-hand side of the centre arch (when facing Trafalgar Square), approximately seven feet from the ground there is a nose-shaped protrusion.

Some people say that this represents Edward VII, who had a rather large nose, whilst others say that it is a snub to Napoleon.

Answer: Buckingham Palace

What can I say about Buckingham Palace? It was originally built as a country house in 1705 for the then Duke of Buckingham. King George IV asked the architect, John Nash, to extend it in 1826. Queen Victoria was the first royal to reside in the palace, moving there in 1837. Prior to this, St James' Palace was the principal royal building in London for ceremonial occasions. During the summer, visitors can take a guided tour of some of the 600 rooms in the palace. Oh--and don't forget the changing of the guard at 11am every morning during May, June and July!

Answer: It is used for a rotating series of 'modern art' projects.

For 100 days in 2009 (July 6 to October 14), the fourth plinth was home to an amazing 'experiment'. People were chosen by ballot to occupy the plinth for an hour each and to basically do whatever they wanted (within the bounds of legality of course). One man dressed as Godzilla and demolished a replica of the London skyline, while a naked woman posed as if for a still-life; 2400 British people became living modern art. Usually the fourth plinth is occupied by specially commissioned works of art.

Answer: They don't! It is illegal to feed them.

Trafalgar Square used to be famous for its large flock of pigeons (estimated at the peak to number 35,000 birds), which used to appear daily to be fed by tourists and residents alike. In 2000, due to worries about the health risks posed by the pigeons, the sale of birdseed in Trafalgar Square was banned and trained falcons were used to try to discourage the pigeons from the area.

In 2007, by-laws were passed to ban the feeding of the birds within Trafalgar Square.

Answer: Norway

The tree given is between 60-70 feet tall and is decorated with approximately 500 white lights. A plaque is placed at the bottom of the tree which reads:

'This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.'

If you want to see the lights on the tree switched on, this always happens on the first Thursday in December.

Answer: St Martin in the Fields

Possibly the most famous 'non-cathedral' church in London, St Martin in the Fields is an Anglican church. The first reference to the church is dated 1222, where it was the subject of a dispute between the Bishop of London and the Abbott of Westminster. Among the famous people buried in the church are Nell Gwynne, a mistress of King Charles the second, and Thomas Chippendale, the famous English furniture-maker.