Trafalgar Square is designated as the geographical centre of London and the location from which all distances are measured. From the 14th to 17th century, the royal courtyard and stables stood here, and once again the hand of John Nash transformed it into an imposing public square. Its name comes from the famous Battle of Trafalgar, which took place in 1805 and was won for Britain by Admiral Nelson. All kinds of events take place here throughout the year, from themed markets, to organized demonstrations, concerts, festivals and others. At Christmas this is the site of the city's Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway. This tradition dates back to WWII, with Norway paying their thanks for British help during the war. At any time during the day or night, Trafalgar Square buzzes with activity! Tip: Several plinths with statues adorn the square, with a special one on top of the stairs towards the left. This plinth is reserved for temporary modern art exhibits and over the years has featured a boy on a rocking horse, a ship in a bottle, and a metallic skeleton of a horse.