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Somerset House - © Britta Jaschinski
Somerset House review 2 Users say 5/5 Rate it
The original Somerset House was a Tudor palace commissioned by the Duke of Somerset. In 1775 it was demolished to make way for an entirely new building, effectively the first purpose-built office block in the world. Today it houses a formidable art gallery (the wonderful Courtauld), a beautiful fountain court, a terraced café and a classy restaurant. Having replaced the Hermitage Rooms and Gilbert Collection on the river side of the building in April 2008, the new Embankment Galleries explore connections between art, architecture and design with a series of temporary exhibitions; downstairs a ceremonial Thames barge illustrates the venue's history. In summer, children never tire of running through the choreographed fountains. Family workshops take place at weekends and holidays, and in recent years Somerset House has hosted an outdoor film screen in summer and a wonderfully atmospheric ice-rink in winter.
Events at Somerset House
Somerset House
A palladian civic palace between the Strand and the Thames by Waterloo Bridge, built as government offices in the las...
Kokoro: The Art of Horiyoshi III
On show for the first time in the UK is work by the artist best-known as a master tattooist, Horiyoshi III. Meaning '...
Wendy Ramshaw: Rooms of Dreams
A fifty-year retrospective of the designer known for her work in jewellery and for public commissions such as the ela...
Somerset House details
Follow Somerset House to receive updates on new events happening here.
What is 'following'?020 7845 4600
Courtauld Gallery (020 7848 2526): 10am-6pm daily (last adm 5.30pm). £6, £4.50 concs, children under 18 free; 10am-2pm Mon free, excluding bank hols
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See all bars & pubs near Somerset HouseComments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 2 ratings)
Indeed Somerset house has more happening then most people visiting London would realise. It is a true hidden jem which is ironic because it is also one of the larger buildings that are open to the public. A beautiful historic hosting some very up today events. As well as the family workshops a number of events for adults have been run in the evening which have been very well recived. An evening of no presure creative play with a glass of wine in one hand accompanied by sounds from chilled DJ's is a very plesent way to pass the time.
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