Trafalgar
Square.
A famed gathering spot, for anarchist riots and for spectacular
New Years celebrations.
Also, feed the birds. (30p per bag now,
not
tuppence, like
the song.)
The central monument is 170-ft Nelson's Column, dedicated a few decades after his 1805 victory off Trafalgar, which ushered in a century of British dominance of the seas and of prosperous trade. The bronze plaques are made from melted French cannon.
Across is the National Gallery, on the north side, and on the right edge is St. Martin in the Fields church. When it was first built, the monks really did have to come out from "London" to the West Minister area to farm, and built their first church out in their fields. Westminster has been the London home of British royalty since the early 1000s.
The Canadian Embassy is off to the left (west) side of the square.
Canadian Pacific House, on the facing Trafalgar Square from the south (where the photo was taken of Nelson's Column).
Nearly a century old, the Canadian flag still flies over the building, with its name carved in stone at the top of the building.
Now, after the breakup of the
Canadian Pacific
conglomerate,
it is the headquarters of CP Ships.
The entrance to Canadian Pacific House.
CP Ships' corporate offices
(CEO, CFO, CIO,
etc.) are on the second floor.
(i.e., up two flights of stairs
from the entrance on the Ground Floor)
A nice steak house is to the right, and Piccadilly Circus several blocks to the right.