The Nelson Monument (Nelson's Column)

The Nelson Monument, commonly known as Nelson's Column, is a memorial column and sculpture located in Trafalgar Square, Westminster. It was constructed between 1839 and 1842, designed by William Railton, with the crowning statue created by E.H. Baily. The bas-relief panels were crafted by J.E. Carew, J. Ternouth, M.L. Watson, and W.F. Woodington, while the lions at the base were added in 1867 by Sir Edwin Landseer.

The monument is made of granite and bronze. It features a tall stepped plinth with lions positioned at the corners, a lofty coursed pedestal adorned with bronze bas-reliefs, and a grand fluted granite column topped with a bronze Corinthian capital and the stone statue of Admiral Nelson. The four bas-relief panels on the pedestal are particularly notable for depicting Nelson's famous naval victories. The lions, designed by Landseer, were cast by Baron Marochetti between 1858 and 1867.

Trafalgar Square, which has been known by this name since 1830, was developed based on an initial proposal by John Nash from 1811-12, and it became a key feature of Nash's Metropolitan - West Strand improvements carried out between 1824 and 1826.