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Somerset House

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One of the Most Reviewed Association or organizations in London


Address

Strand, London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 20 7845 4600

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (1.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 10 AM to 7 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 7 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 7 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: exhibition (28) Somerset (23) visit (21) time (18) London (18) great (18) House (16) building (16) exhibitions (14) cafe (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jenny S. 7 months ago on Google • 156 reviews
    We visited here for the first time ever today! I thought it was free entry as it mentioned this on goggle maps. I informed staff about this and thankfully was given free tickets! Thank you very much! It was an enjoyable day out! The galleries are very quiet when walking around. It felt like a library! Shhhh 🤫🤣 but overall a very clean place that is very highly secured with cameras and security guards! Dun dun dunnnnn 🤣 Lovely fountain ⛲️ area where kids play and get soaking wet at their own free will! 🤣👍🏻 There are also seating areas and a variety of foods bars to choose from near the fountain area. Lastly, staff were helpful and friendly! 😊👍🏻 Thank you again! 😊
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olivia H. 1 month ago on Google • 26 reviews New
    Went to the Cute Exhibition and Hello Kitty ARTBOX Cafe pop up. The cafe is extremely busy currently, with waits up to two hours. I went on 12 Feb, Monday, (which it’s usually closed on but it was open on this Monday), and the wait was about only an hour long which I was happy about, since they said it could be up to two hours. The prices of the snacks in the cafe is of course overpriced but this is London and a Hello Kitty pop up, of course it’s going to be. About £7 for a slice of cake. The cafe is more about its cute aesthetic and for the experience of it all, me and my friend went dressed as My Melody and Kuromi, and we had a lot of people ask for photos! The cute exhibition itself was fun, and really entertaining. I am usually a bit bored by museums and exhibitions but I was very interested in this one. It was cute and lived up to its name. It’s quite a short exhibition, and I was particularly a bit disappointed by the gift shop because I always like to get a magnet or pin as a souvenir, but I couldn’t find any souvenirs. (Luckily got a pin from the Hello Kitty cafe though.) They also didn’t list a price on most of their products. I really appreciated the fact that you could buy job seeker tickets to the exhibition for about £5 less than a normal ticket. Overall, I really enjoyed it. Somerset House is a bit of a maze though!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dilek Özlem A. 1 year ago on Google
    What a wonderful historical place. Have a really nice coffee ins8de the front garden but also you can bring your food or drink and even have a small picnic there. In the backyard have a perfect terrace Riverside of Thames. Don't forget to wear fancy outfit if you go there in the evening especially weekend evenings. Inside the building you can see different rooms and exhibitions there. Only one thing upset me that was seeing the rubbish between the walking place and garden door floor. Please don't throw your rubbish there guys.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harry K. 1 month ago on Google • 681 reviews New
    A cultural center. A hub for arts. Superb Architecture. Amazing open square. Polite, knowledge staff. A must visit for all people. Easy access from Temple underground stop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gisela P. 1 year ago on Google
    A must see venue to check in advance before going to London. We saw the Edvard Munch exhibition -early years- being well curated. The 3rd floor has an extended wide of modern paintings and it’s a delightful exhibitions. The gift shop has a great range of interesting products including a coffee shop. We went afterwards to the restaurant Spring -which is inside the building- and was a great success.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Asraful huque M. 5 months ago on Google • 226 reviews
    Somerset House always has great exhibitions on with lots of them available for free. I visited recently for the Skateboarding exhibition and it was fantastic! There are often exhibitions about subcultures like grime music and more. There are clear efforts made to be more representative and also show off artists from a range of backgrounds, which is great to see.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andre Lucas R. 2 months ago on Google • 191 reviews New
    Beautiful historical building to visit during the day. In the summer and during other seasons, they offer recurrent concerts in the inner patio. The acoustics is surprisingly good. There are several drinking and eating options. The shows are on time and end early, making it easy to work the following day.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hsin Yi W. 2 years ago on Google
    We were there for WatchHouse Coffee and found Somerset House Trust to be an amazingly magnificent place to visit. We came twice, first time in the morning for breakfast & coffee and second time to see the beautiful & romantic lighting at night. It would be an ice skate park during the holiday season with Christmas decorations & lovely ambiance. We would definitely plan to visit London in December in the near future and skate here with family and friends.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yasir 1 year ago on Google
    We came for the ice skating. It was so well managed and the timing/organisation was perfect. Make sure to get there on time as they do tell you to leave after the time slot is over. Very beautiful decor and there’s a hotel chocolat van for any hot drinks. They also have a cloakroom room for bags and buggy’s
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Venetia C. 1 month ago on Google • 193 reviews New
    Lovely building had a Historical Tour, nice to find out about Somerset House and all it's history. It lasted an hour, It was very informative, the guide was very good and had lots of knowledge. The forecourt is very impressive very large and has fountains in the summer and ice rink in the winter. We were taken under the forecourt by the guide to see the old graves from churches around the area, that they knocked down to build Somerset House. We were shown the impressive staircases lovely stone staircases especially the Nelson staircase very beautiful looks like their are floating. We were taken under the front of the building near the Thames and saw where the boats and barges used to come in right in to the building as the Thames was much wider then and there wasn't the Embarrassment there, no road and so it used to come right into the building and there is a barge still there underneath to show where the river was, it's on loan from the Maritime museum. We were shown the new wing with lots of new artists work in. It has a few restaurants and cafes in the building. The Courtauld Gallery holds lots of artwork. It used to hold the births deaths and marriages until 1970.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anne-Jolie 3 months ago on Google • 526 reviews New
    🎄☃️🤶🏻What an absolutely delightful place to be during the Christmas season! 🌺🌟❄️ ✨🛼Even if you don't partake in ice-skating, simply observing the joyous atmosphere is incredibly gratifying! 🎿⛸️ 🍵☕️Moreover, they have cozy cafes adjacent to the rink, where you can relish a steaming cup of hot chocolate ☕ or a delightful glass of wine 🍷 while warmly spectating your friends gracefully glide on ice. 🌟 🎿☃️The ambiance of a ski resort adds to the overall charm and allure of the location. ⛷️❄️ 🎄☃️Alternatively, you can stand beneath the majestic Christmas tree and revel in the crisp air, ❄️ all while being serenaded by enchanting Christmas songs. 🎄🎶 🎀AJ's suggestion to the venue🎀 🎪incorporate ice-skating performances during intermissions. It would undoubtedly elevate the experience and captivate the audience even further. 👏🌟

  • 5/5 Zizi S. 2 years ago on Google
    Somerset House is a large Neoclassical complex situated on the south side of the Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The Edmond J. Safra Court is a grand and iconic place to hold an event. With the sublime backdrop of Somerset House it offers space for a large event on a grand scale. Availability depends on the schedule throughout the year. Somerset House run few exhibitions through out the year and summer festivals, some are free entry but others are chargeable, nice cafe shop/ restaurant, I strongly recommend exploring their website as it never fails you with surprises.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J O. 3 years ago on Google
    One of my favorite buildings in London. Been a few times to see a number of exhibitions. Always fascinated each time I visit. Latest visit was to see the 1-54 art fair. It was beautiful experience to see amazing modern African art and artists from across the continent. I was honored. Some great quality stuff. I was very cultured. Sadly COVID has affected many parts of culture and the arts across London city and Somerset House felt really quiet and strange but nevertheless remains one of my favorite places in London.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebecca C. 1 year ago on Google
    I saw Angus & Julia Stone here, Ghetts, been to various events, fashion shows, and art exhibitions. Everything that I have been to has been well executed, clean, well behaved, and overall great experience. This is one of the best venues especially for their summer series. 🙏🏻💜
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aishah B. 1 month ago on Google • 124 reviews New
    Really enjoyed the cute exhibit, would definitely recommend going, they had a lot of interesting art on display. Would say to try and go at a quieter time if possible just so you have a proper chance at reading the information that accompanies the art.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Julie G. 2 months ago on Google • 271 reviews New
    Fabulous exhibition about the Black British experience in fashion. Included sport, music and politics. Short walk from Covent Garden Tube Station. The ice rink was open and busy and lots of other things going on. Worth a visit. Concession rates available.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Valentina C. 3 months ago on Google • 60 reviews New
    Somerset house is a beautiful building, worth it to visit. The Skate is an amazing outdoor ice skating area, not very big but nice. The only thing is that it was too busy, they should allow less people at the same time each skating slot, it gets so busy and with plenty of kids, which it becomes not enjoyable skating, there is no space for skating and it’s even risky and unsafe to skate like that, bumping each other with people. In the end of the money you pay for 45 min is not really worthy! Get less people and we will come :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Guillermo G. 1 year ago on Google
    One of this places you can't miss in London. It is so close to other activities in the cities, and always have some kind of exhibition in it. Just have brunch in one of the places in it and then enjoy walking the place and by the river
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andi O. 2 years ago on Google
    We went for to the bubble booths at Somerset House and it was amazing! First and foremost the staff were simply wonderful, our server was brilliant and we made an error with the booking and the team helped find a solution. The food was great and at £39 for 2 courses and £45 for 3, worth the money. Wonderful location, great food and service. Well worth a visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 P P. 1 month ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    Went to the CUTE exhibition and it was interesting but definitely do not go if you are only interested in Hello Kitty as that is a very small portion of the exhibition. Even with taking our time around the exhibition is was quite short for something you could spend up to £20 for … Shop at the end was dull with nothing of actual value. However, the Artbox Cafe was great! Very cute and tasty BUT it is not worth the long wait so try to visit when the crowds are low (weekday).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Арина �. 1 year ago on Google
    The classicist public building is one of the twenty most visited art museum on the world
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Amal K. 7 months ago on Google
    Lovely building with a lot of history and a great view of the Thames. The Black Venus exhibition was lovely, but not a lot to do here otherwise (except visit the cafe).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cristina C. 2 years ago on Google
    Somerset House always has great exhibitions on with lots of them available for free. I visited recently for the Skateboarding exhibition and it was fantastic! There are often exhibitions about subcultures like grime music and more. There are clear efforts made to be more representative and also show off artists from a range of backgrounds, which is great to see.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chiho S. 2 years ago on Google
    We went to see Beano exhibition. It was well curated with Beano inspired art work. Different characters were introduced how they came about in each section. As it was first published in 1938, there were lots of WW2 themes and the characters were used for propaganda. Also, corporal punishment was a common practice until it was banned in 1986. The teachers always had a slipper on their desks, which I found it very funny. I didn’t grow up in the UK, but it must have been a common practice in all over the world back then. The comic is so satisfying as these kids keep on breaking the rules and the consequences make me laugh. This exhibition made me want I read more. My children love reading them and I now understand why. Somerset house offer very nice exhibitions for families. They had a badge making and placate making session. My daughter choose to pick the words to spread peace, love and humanity.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Christine L. 1 month ago on Google • 169 reviews New
    Took my sister here for the cute exhibition. She really enjoyed it! Hello kitty pop up cafe probably not worth it.. super long wait. But it's more for the novelty! Go early in the morning if you are keen for it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Uzo A. 6 months ago on Google • 141 reviews
    I visited on a weekend for an exhibition and it’s free entry. On entry I noticed lots of children running around in the water fountain with swimming costumes making the most of a hot day. I also spotted a black owned business pop up on site though only for a limited time. The exhibition was clearly signposted and the staff onsite were very helpful in giving directions. I had a good time at the exhibition- not to crowded and very well manned to provide assistance at every turn. No booking required, you just turn up.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Skylar S. 3 months ago on Google • 130 reviews New
    Ice rink is a little on the small side and even though I turnt up for my session with my own skates, on time and waited for the skate on doors to open, still ended up 5min into the session and didn't get the added on extra time at the end of it to make up for the time lost at the start unlike at some other rinks that I have been too. So a little disappointed. However, the rink is nice, clean well kept. The marshals could do with paying a little more attention to falling guests, instead of watching their friends do spins in the center. The door staff are great and friendly, the cloakroom separate from the skate exchange is a good idea and makes sure bags etc are not on people and ending up on the ice or obstructive in the skate exchange. The ice quality was good even in the wet weather, hard enough to play around on but had a slight bounce to it when doing a few jumps and tricks. Nice lighting, music choice and volume was good. All in all, I would like to visit again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael J. 3 months ago on Google • 295 reviews New
    We came here to Skate on Friday evening and had such a wonderful experience. Thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the atmosphere was so nice. The staff here also were just fabulous, so helpful and polite and welcoming.

  • 5/5 Margo B. 7 months ago on Google • 77 reviews
    Really enjoyed our visit to Somerset House last weekend. The weather was nice and the kids loved the fountains. We brought food with us and there were benches and tables that could be used for lunch. There were a couple of cafés and shops for all to enjoy.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nusynasy S. 10 months ago on Google
    Great all year round exhibition art museum. Ice rink in the winter and fountain fun in the summer. Hosting many great events like Photo London.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Monika M. 6 months ago on Google
    Somerset house is fully self-funded charity, and it has quite an impressive collection. The tickets without donation are £10 and its well-worth spending even if just to see their impressionists collection. Needless to say, Van Goth's most recognised self-portrait is a must-see! The venue is well signposted and also hosts other seasonal, often free of charge exhibitions. As it's on The Strand, it has plenty of places to have coffee, drink, or lunch after including several cafes in the inner yard and a bar on the riverside of the building. Several activities are organised throughout the year, such as open cinema in summer and ice-skating in winter. Worth researching earlier. Highly recommended to visit. It's also placed a stone throw away from other cultural places such as cultural hub of Southwark Centre with National Theatre, Haywards Gallery and Royal Festival Hall just on the other side of Waterloo Bridge as well as London Eye and Aquarium. Plenty possibilities to go on a stroll alongside Thames after the visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jun A. 5 months ago on Google
    I didn't really know what this cathedral is in the midst of so many historical buildings inside London. But here, you can enjoy the vast expanse, and this huge space is always something that touches your heart, and you can feel the freedom inside such a spacious place. Maybe you are tired from walking just to reach this place, but it's still worthwhile coming here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Teresa Grace T. 2 months ago on Google New
    What a wonderful experience! The team behind Skate at Somerset are clearly experts in their field - the location, size of rink, quality of ice, quality rental skates!!, clean and slick rooms for storage and collecting skates/shoes, appropriate amount of staff who were all friendly, professional and looked slick in their red jackets and black beanies, and the appropriate number of skaters for each slot… 5 stars!!! Skate at Somerset really sets the standard for all other ice rinks in London and New York!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M L. 3 years ago on Google
    Somerset House is a palace working today days as an arts centre built on historic foundations with a beautiful courtyard and terrace. On it lived the Princess Elizabeth I before being crowned Queen. The today's. Art centre offers many cultural activities that are usually for free or under contribution.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 May W. 2 years ago on Google
    Is under construction, but still worth to visit. There is a wide field in the center of the building which you can use to sunbath (lol) when the weather is nice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jovita V. 1 year ago on Google
    Good place where events are held. The courtyard hosts events, and various installations are put up. The structure boasts of rich architectural heritage and as such a point for many events and even movie filmings. It houses various cafes and restuarants too, with a river side view, including the Masterchef Dipna Anand's Restuarant.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Koen R. 1 year ago on Google
    Strange place. Beautifully building with nothing in it. Is being used for art projects but nothing on display except a weird boat sculpture. Worthwhile stepping inside for a quick 15 minute visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paulina B. 1 month ago on Google • 150 reviews New
    Visited specifically for the Cute exhibition. I feel like it was a bit badly handled by Somerset House though, we had tickets for 12 and ended up having to wait in a long queue, not sure what has gone wrong. Nonetheless we enjoyed it!

  • 3/5 GemGoth 1 month ago on Google • 42 reviews New
    I visited on a Saturday morning for the 10am slot for the CUTE exhibition. I personally bought pre-booked tickets which came at a reduced price for students at £14 but there was not a long queue for buying in-person, at that moment. The exhibition itself was well organised and took about an hour to get through. Lots of staff around to help which was nice and the creative pieces themselves were thoroughly enjoyable, ranging from a wide variety of activities, artwork and media. The artbox cafe was a disappointment however. We began waiting at 11:15am and ended up getting into the cafe after 12. Customers who were only getting drinks were quickly getting sent to get them and go out, perhaps to come back another day to sit in and have the food. I opted to stay in thus the hour long queue with my friends. For an hour’s wait, the cafe turned out to be small and rather crowded. Cramped seating which was more akin to a high school lunch room layout rather than a cafe pop up in a building as popular, refined and reputable as Somerset House. The food probably tasted good because of how hungry we were. The strawberry cream hot chocolate was definitely well worth it though, the total for a cake slice (3 layers) and the drink (mine automatically came with squirty cream, sprinkles and mini marshmallows but for some it was 50p per add-on) came to £12.90. The drink did get cold pretty quick and the cake, although tasty, wasn’t anything innovative and I could probably get the same quality for a whole cake, much cheaper at my local sainsbury’s or asda. But this is London, so stuff like this is expected I suppose. If you do want to visit the cafe badly, I’d suggest going before your exhibition time as it can be accessed anytime and preferably on a weekday. They’ve further reduced the days and times they’re open so that’s more of a hindrance to their already subpar business I suppose. Very close to giving it a 2 star rating but the exhibition was lots of fun and so made up for the mediocre, overpriced food afterwards.

  • 5/5 nnierka99 1 year ago on Google
    One of the greatest places in London to visit especially winter time. Somerset House pursues a spirit of ‘Step Inside, Think Outside’ for everyone, regardless of age, stage or background. It is a place to escape the comfort zone in the safest way. It freshens minds, eyes and the world at large. Its energy is unending - intensifying creativity, multiplying opportunity, driving artistic and social innovation, sometimes personal transformation, all at once.

  • 4/5 Mark M. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited for a corporate event. Really impressive building akin to Buckingham Palace from the exterior. Buffet lunch provided at the facility was also top class. There are coffee shops and at least one bar and restaurant which I saw when there. Didn't visit any of the art on this trip.

  • 5/5 Adam S. 1 year ago on Google
    A hidden gem 10 minutes walk from Covent Garden. Definitely recommend checking this place out and trying Watchouse for great coffee and brunch 🙏🏼

  • 5/5 Louis B. 1 year ago on Google
    Neoclassical buildings in the Strand area, Central London. The land was originally Tudor Palace owned by the Duke of Somerset. Construction started in 1776.

  • 4/5 French Rose T. 2 years ago on Google
    An afternoon of nostalgia for us at the Beano exhibition. This was lots of fun and we revisited our favourite comics. Aimed at adults or older children. Some interactive elements.

  • 5/5 Gareth T. 9 months ago on Google
    If you’re looking for somewhere stately to spend some time looking at exhibitions in London then this should be a worthy of your consideration. A truly stunning building.

  • 4/5 Sandra E. 3 months ago on Google New
    Few days ago I saw Black British fashion exhibition. It was beautiful and Informative. The one thing that disappointed me was that some of the exhibits were placed too close to each other, making it difficult to see them properly. This type of exhibition would benefit from a larger venue.

  • 5/5 dave c. 2 years ago on Google
    There for Van Gogh self portrait exhibit - great place - overall huge buildings…

  • 5/5 Steve H. 2 years ago on Google
    Stunning architecture and the tea shop is amazing. Friendly and passionate staff that are super helpful.

  • 2/5 Andrew H. 1 year ago on Google
    Not a good place to go for New Year’s Eve, terrible view of the fireworks. 2 pop up bars which serve a small selection of overpriced drinks. £17 for 2 small cans of some Vodka and Rhubarb concoction. The main bar was better but after getting a round of drinks we were later told it was now reservation only and couldn’t go back in. It was the only bar that sold decent drinks and not overpriced rubbish. Bar was completely empty but they obviously didn’t want people using that bar. Everyone we spoke to felt the same way and said they wouldn’t do it again. Ice skating was good but the rest of the night was a disappointment. As soon as the fireworks ended everyone left.

  • 5/5 Mark C. 2 years ago on Google
    I went to the London Photo Exhibition here. Summerset house is a fantastic venue that holds numerous exhibitions There throughout the year. T

  • 5/5 Rafał T. 2 years ago on Google
    I was there for a great LP concert. Great atmosphere and I will gladly return.

  • 5/5 Ivi G. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited Somerset house recently to see the current Forest for Change exhibition. Such a great idea to bring a nature to the city

  • 5/5 Helen Clark B. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited the London Bienalle and the Forest for Change exhibition. Extraordinary....400 trees all about 7 years old brought in to demonstrate the importance of urban greening. It is a must visit before the end of June.

  • 5/5 John B. 1 year ago on Google
    The ice skate rink was the prettiest & most romantic one I’ve ever been to!


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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