Photo credit: © Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock.com
In a tradition dating back to 1947, London is gifted a Christmas tree by Norway each year. This year’s arrived at Trafalgar Square today and will be lit on Thursday (5 December).
About
As a sign of gratitude for the UK assisting Norway during the Second World War, each year since 1947, Norway has gifted a Norwegian Spruce which is displayed in Trafalgar Square in the centre of the capital.
The trees come from the Nordmarka Forest in northern Oslo. This year’s 20 metre tree was cut by The Lord Mayor of Westminster and The Mayor of Oslo. It’s c.57 years old and weighs about a tonne. It was transported by an electric lorry and a new tree has been planted to replace it. It will be decorated with strings of energy-efficient lights which will be lit in a special ceremony on Thursday.
The tree will remain in place until 6 January when it will then be recycled and used as mulch in gardens around London.
Lighting ceremony
The tree will be lit in a special free, un-ticketed ceremony this Thursday at 5.30pm, where there will be carol singing and poetry readings, too.
Getting there
Trafalgar Square can be reached from Hertford Street by taking the Piccadilly line from Green Park to Leicester Square; from there, it’s a 0.2 mile walk.
Also in the area
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
National Gallery
National Portrait Gallery