View of Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster, looking west towards Admiralty Arch from the corner of Charing Cross and Northumberland Avenue. Trafalgar Square was planned as part of the redevelopment of the West Strand Improvements by John Nash following the passing of the Charing Cross Act of 1826. Although it was to be another 30 years before the square was completed, it occupies the area of the former Great Mews of the Crown Stables. Charles Barry was the architect, although he opposed the decision to erect Nelson's Column on the site - he was overruled. The whole square is Grade I listed, number 1001362. At the northern end of Charing Cross (now the northern end of Whitehall) is a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I in half armour. Commissioned in 1630 by Charles I's Lord Treasurer Sir Richard Weston for his house at Mortlake Park, Roehampton. Cast in 1633 by Hubert Le Sueur, the Portland Stone pedestal is by Joshua Marshall carved in 1674-5 when the statue was moved to this position. It is Grade I listed, number 1357291. Adjacent to the statue is an 1880 cast-iron lamp standard and vent with an ornate bell-shaped base decorated with griffins. Surmounted by an urn on which stand a group of three putti holding festoons and forming the base of the shaft which carries three lamps on curved, scroll-ornamented brackets. It is Grade II* listed, number 1066283. On the left, the corner building is 4 Charing Cross with a ground-floor shop occupied by the District Messenger and Theatre Ticket Company. On the opposite corner of Charing Cross is Drummonds Bank, constructed in 1879 for the private bank known as Messrs Drummond, founded in 1717 by Andrew Drummond. The bank was acquired by Royal Bank of Scotland in 1924. The three-storey building with an attic was designed by George Aitchison and built of Portland Stone, in a neo-Palladian style. The porch has polished granite pilasters and a balustraded parapet. It is Grade II* listed, number 1225731. In the distance is the outline of Admiralty Arch still under construction. Completed in 1911 it is a triumphal arch in Portland Stone by Sir Aston Webb, an entrance to the ceremonial approach to Buckingham Palace and part of the national monument to Queen Victoria. It is Grade I listed, number 1238982. There are several vehicles, including horses and carts, and a number 77 omnibus. The pedestrians include three policemen and men in bowler and top hats.
