Canada House
Canada House
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Neighbourhood: Trafalgar Square / Embankment
With its iconic Nelson’s Column, majestic oversized lions and brightly-lit fountains, Trafalgar Square is not just considered the heart of this bustling London hub, but the very core of the city itself. Beyond this esteemed gathering place are more famous icons, as well as a disproportionate numbers of the city’s most popular cultural attractions including the National Gallery and many West End theaters. Along the way to these major sites are quiet lanes and antiquated pubs to discover, as well as riverside vistas to enjoy on the embankment. With a calendar full of celebratory events, any time of year is a fine time to visit.
How to get there
- Charing Cross • 2 min walk
- Leicester Square • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
12
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Ian C
London, UK23,705 contributions
Apr 2020
Canada House is one of the fine buildings around Trafalgar Square. The interior is fascinating if you ever have an opportunity to visit - I was there for a couple of Canadian book events last year.
On the north side, facing the National Gallery is a small gem of a gallery which has a changing programme of exhibitions by Canadian artists, from traditional indigenous artists to forward thinking digital art, which was the focus of the exhibition when I visited in March.
In her exhibition, Skawennati showed us something of how the world might change in the future with a focus on digitalisation, gaming technology, avatars, space travel and new technologies. She herself has become a Mohawk woman and cyberpunk avatar as she explores a new digital world which also transforms the lives of indigenous native Canadians into the 21st century.
Her fascinating exhibition 'Avatars, Aliens, Ancestors' stretched visitors into the world of 21st century digital creativity with models, photographs and videos to immerse yourself in.
On the north side, facing the National Gallery is a small gem of a gallery which has a changing programme of exhibitions by Canadian artists, from traditional indigenous artists to forward thinking digital art, which was the focus of the exhibition when I visited in March.
In her exhibition, Skawennati showed us something of how the world might change in the future with a focus on digitalisation, gaming technology, avatars, space travel and new technologies. She herself has become a Mohawk woman and cyberpunk avatar as she explores a new digital world which also transforms the lives of indigenous native Canadians into the 21st century.
Her fascinating exhibition 'Avatars, Aliens, Ancestors' stretched visitors into the world of 21st century digital creativity with models, photographs and videos to immerse yourself in.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK8,046 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
I was fortunate to be able to visit Canada House on London's Trafalgar Square on one of the Canadian High Commission's free public tours of this grand edifice. The tours are offered on selected Friday afternoons (one or two Fridays per month), and apart from the Canada Gallery which is open to the public Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 17:45, this guided tour is the only way you will get to see some of the beautiful rooms in this diplomatic facility. You must register individually through an external website to attend one of these tours. The tours are very popular, and as the groups are small and the frequency of them is fairly limited, you'll need to book months in advance to secure your free spot.
Canada House occupies a grand Greek Revival building that's been on the western side of Trafalgar Square since the 1820s. You'll be met outside by security who will check your registration for the tour (you just cannot roll up and hope for a spot), and your government-issued ID. You will then pass through airport-style security screening. Cameras are not permitted (phones are OK), and I was also asked to remove my Apple watch. There are small lockers for the storage of items that are not permitted, including large bags.
The tour was excellent - informative, interesting and factual, with some subtle touches of humour. Our guide was (if I remember correctly) the husband of the Deputy High Commissioner. He was excellent!
The various rooms in Canada House are named after the provinces and territories of the country, as well as important figures in the country's history. Naturally you won't see them all, due to the diplomatic nature of the house. Rooms I saw included the main downstairs drawing room, and the Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario Rooms, as well as the Wilfred Laurier Room. Each of the provincial rooms are decorated with furnishings, textiles, carpets and pieces of art from that particular province. Each room has a distinctly Canadian, and very contemporary, feel. There are some really interesting things to see, and some beautiful pieces of art - all set in equally grand spaces of this building.
One of the highlights of the tour was a climb up to the rooftop terrace, for a great view of Trafalgar Square - a very unique view of this famous London landmark which is not available to most tourists.
I loved the tour, and as a lover of stately homes I really appreciated the opportunity to take this tour. It lasts an hour. It's fully mobility friendly as lifts can be used instead of stairs.
Thank you, Canada!
Canada House occupies a grand Greek Revival building that's been on the western side of Trafalgar Square since the 1820s. You'll be met outside by security who will check your registration for the tour (you just cannot roll up and hope for a spot), and your government-issued ID. You will then pass through airport-style security screening. Cameras are not permitted (phones are OK), and I was also asked to remove my Apple watch. There are small lockers for the storage of items that are not permitted, including large bags.
The tour was excellent - informative, interesting and factual, with some subtle touches of humour. Our guide was (if I remember correctly) the husband of the Deputy High Commissioner. He was excellent!
The various rooms in Canada House are named after the provinces and territories of the country, as well as important figures in the country's history. Naturally you won't see them all, due to the diplomatic nature of the house. Rooms I saw included the main downstairs drawing room, and the Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario Rooms, as well as the Wilfred Laurier Room. Each of the provincial rooms are decorated with furnishings, textiles, carpets and pieces of art from that particular province. Each room has a distinctly Canadian, and very contemporary, feel. There are some really interesting things to see, and some beautiful pieces of art - all set in equally grand spaces of this building.
One of the highlights of the tour was a climb up to the rooftop terrace, for a great view of Trafalgar Square - a very unique view of this famous London landmark which is not available to most tourists.
I loved the tour, and as a lover of stately homes I really appreciated the opportunity to take this tour. It lasts an hour. It's fully mobility friendly as lifts can be used instead of stairs.
Thank you, Canada!
Written July 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
London, UK23,705 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
The main building itself is impressive and if you can ever have a visit inside, it is well worth it, with an impressive collection of Canadian art through the various rooms and spaces in the building.
On the north side, facing the National Gallery is one of London's hidden treasures, a small gallery which hosts a changing series of exhibitions of art by Canadian artists and other artists related to Canada.
At the current time, the exhibition is a bridge between Scotland and Canada, showing work by the Scottish artist Barbara Rae as she travelled through the Northern Passage alongside Inuit sculpture from the Belle Shenkman Collection.
On the north side, facing the National Gallery is one of London's hidden treasures, a small gallery which hosts a changing series of exhibitions of art by Canadian artists and other artists related to Canada.
At the current time, the exhibition is a bridge between Scotland and Canada, showing work by the Scottish artist Barbara Rae as she travelled through the Northern Passage alongside Inuit sculpture from the Belle Shenkman Collection.
Written January 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F8733KVkevinw
Brentwood, UK45 contributions
Mar 2018 • Business
Awesome food and mind blowing design in every room, architecture and creativity in bucket loads. The staff are amazing and i enjoyed every minute .
Loved the fish and chocolate brûlée and enjoyed seeing the view from the top. Thank you for being a wonderful host Eunice and Craig . Met the Defence Attache Lowell Thomas . Wow what a event. Thank you .
Loved the fish and chocolate brûlée and enjoyed seeing the view from the top. Thank you for being a wonderful host Eunice and Craig . Met the Defence Attache Lowell Thomas . Wow what a event. Thank you .
Written March 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wine Diva
Sumner, WA18 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Went into the Gallery and saw a small exhibit of Canadian artists. If you have time go and see it. Its a wuick visit to some very important works of art.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK26,149 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
Went as going to Canada and had a Visa question. Staff very helpful in answering queries. This is a majestic building overlooking Trafalgar square.
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron W
1 contribution
Mar 2019 • Couples
After going through an airport style check we walked into the same room we were looking at the whole time from the lobby. It had a few water color pictures that was it!!! Whole tour 30 seconds.
Written March 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bahrain reviews
Manama, Bahrain3,260 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Just on the side of Trafalgar Square is the Canada house which also is the Canadian embassy. It’s a nice building but not sure if they have tours
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurence B
Aberdeen, UK4,361 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
A great building and right next to Trafalgar Square. A nice place for all Canadians to go to and for their embassy.
Written August 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,053 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
Because of its location at Trafalgar Square, just round the corner of the National Gallery you cannot miss Canada House, a Greek revivalist building built in the early 19th century.
It is presently the Canadian Embassy, there are several other embassies in the vicinity.
There is a small art gallery and the embassy holds tours on certain Fridays.
It is presently the Canadian Embassy, there are several other embassies in the vicinity.
There is a small art gallery and the embassy holds tours on certain Fridays.
Written March 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Compass285409
Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom
how long can a british person spend in Canada
Written March 27, 2019
Compass285409
Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom
when I go to Canada I spend 3 months there could I get health insurance there
Written March 27, 2019
Compass285409
Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom
How long as a traveller can I spend in Canada ?
Written March 27, 2019
Hello, can you tell me details about the Barbara Rae exhibition. It opens on 29/10/18?Times? Is prior booking required? Thanks
Written November 12, 2018
We were there mid Oct and it was a display of guitars with Canadian themes so cannot comment on your question.
Written November 13, 2018
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