Why Take a Closer Look at Nelson’s Column?
Standing 169 feet above Trafalgar Square, Admiral Horatio Nelson has been watching over London since 1843. The towering monument commemorates Britain’s famous naval commander, who was fatally wounded during his victory over the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Designed by architect William Railton, the column is topped by an enormous sandstone statue of Nelson, sculpted by Edward Hodges Baily.
But before Nelson took his place above London, something rather extraordinary happened at the top of the column.
A Dinner Party 169 Feet Above London
On October 23, 1843, fourteen men climbed the scaffolding surrounding the nearly completed column and sat down to a celebratory dinner at the very top.
And this wasn’t just a quick sandwich break.
The guests enjoyed rump steak and champagne, with their meal hauled up by pulley to the tiny platform where Nelson’s statue would soon stand.
Imagine sitting down to dinner high above Victorian London, with Trafalgar Square spread out beneath your feet.
Just days later, Nelson’s enormous statue was raised into position, bringing an end to what must have been one of London’s most unusual dining experiences.
What Are the Bronze Panels at the Base?
Before leaving, take a look at the four enormous bronze relief panels surrounding the base of the column.
Each depicts a scene from one of Nelson’s famous naval battles: Cape St. Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen and Trafalgar, where he received his fatal wound.
Created by four different sculptors and installed between 1849 and 1852, the panels were cast using bronze associated with captured enemy cannons.
The four famous bronze lions guarding the monument came later, in 1867, designed by Victorian animal painter Sir Edwin Landseer.
Did Someone Really Sell Nelson’s Column?
According to a popular London story, a Scottish con man named Arthur Ferguson managed to sell Nelson’s Column to an unsuspecting American tourist for £6,000 in the 1920s.
And apparently, he didn’t stop there.
The tale continues with Ferguson supposedly selling Big Ben and Buckingham Palace before taking his talents across the Atlantic, where he allegedly attempted to sell the Statue of Liberty.
It’s a wonderfully outrageous story, but reliable historical evidence for Ferguson’s supposed transactions is elusive. Whether the man was a remarkably successful con artist or simply the subject of an elaborate urban legend remains uncertain.
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Nearest Station: Charing Cross
Website: Trafalgar Square — London City Hall
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