Adventure #5, continued

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Many streets lead from Trafalgar Square.  Look for Admiralty Arch and you will find the entrance to the Mall (pronounced with an "a" as in "Sally").  At the end of the Mall is Buckingham Palace.

Whitehall, street of government offices, also leads off from Trafalgar Square.  Look for the statue of Charles I on his horse.  He is looking down Whitehall towards the site of his own execution, the Banqueting House.  Near Charles I's statue, look for a tiny structure.  This is the smallest police station in England, barely big enough for one man. 

Just off the square, on Northumberland Street, is the Sherlock Holmes Pub.  The dining room on the first (US second) floor lets you view a recreation of Holmes's sitting room, complete with the "V" (for Victoria) in "bullet holes" and other Holmesian decor.

Did you know?  While Trafalgar Square has long been a gathering place for people and pigeons, selling of pigeon food here is now prohibited.

Trafalgar Square plays host to one of the major celebrations on New Year's Eve, akin to New York's Times Square.

Tube:  Charing Cross.  You will come out on The Strand and it is a short walk to the square.

Admission:   Admission to the National Portrait Gallery is FREE, with the exception of some special exhibitions.  Admission to St. Martin's in the Fields is also FREE.

In the surrounding area:  Buckingham Palace.  The Queen's Gallery is open to the public every day.  Newly reopened in the Spring of 2002, the expanded gallery is home to works of art from the Queen's collection (one of the best in the world).  Tickets may be purchased at the site at the Queen's Gallery shop or may be prebooked by telephone (automated ticket sales by credit card) at  011-44-20-7321-2233.  Adults £6.50, over 60 £5.00.

While you're in the neighborhood, the Royal Mews is also open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This area houses a number of carriages used by the Royal Family, including the gold State Coach, and the horses to pull them.  Tickets may be purchased at the site in the shop (opens 9:30 a.m.) or through an automated booking service (telephone:  011-44-20-7321-2233)  Admission is £5.00 for adults, £4.00 for over 60.

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