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Somerset House

  • Art | Galleries
  • Aldwych
  • Recommended
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Anya Ryan
Written by Anya Ryan
Contributing writer, Time Out London
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Time Out says

What is 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.

Why go?

Aside from the stunning exterior, Somerset House is home to over 530 paintings and 26,000 drawings and prints, spanning from the medieval period to the 20th century. Look carefully and you'll see the iconic works of Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin

Don't miss:

Somerset House is famed for its seasonal events. In summer the outside is transformed for film screenings and a series of music events - this year had the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae and Pip Millett on the programme. During the winter, a wonderfully atmospheric ice-rink takes over the space.

When to visit:

Somerset House is open daily from 10am-7pm.

Ticket info:

General admission to Somerset House is free but some exhibitions and events have priced tickets. Check on the website. 

Time Out tip:

If you're peckish, try out one of the café and restaurants Somerset House hosts. We'd suggest Café Petiole, the newest opening from Rishim Sachdeva, the chef behind the much-loved vegan restaurant Tendril in Mayfair. Liike Tendril, Café Petiole is also a vegan resaurant and serves up lunchtime treats including salads, pastries and even a winning banoffee pie.

Details

Address
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
Transport:
Tube: Temple/Charing Cross/Covent Garden
Opening hours:
Daily 10am-7pm
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What’s on

Somerset House at 25

Somerset House’s wonderful Courtauld art gallery, beautiful neo-classical fountain court and exciting exhibitions, events and concert programmes have made it one of the fixtures of London’s cultural scene. But, did you know that just 25 years ago it was just a bunch of government offices and a car park? To celebrate its transformation into one of the UK’s top art destinations Somerset House is going large for its 25th anniversary. Throughout the year it’ll be putting on special events, spotlighting creative talent and unleashing a very exciting sounding ‘brand new visual identity’.  There’s a slew of exciting things going on at the cultural institution. Look out for a new riverside bar named Setlist launching in April, the opening of the entire building to the public including its lesser-known studios, and a scheme led by interdisciplinary artist Yinka Ilori championing up-coming talent. Cultural highlights include a large-scale courtyard sculpture from Turner prize-winning artist Tai Shani, a landmark exhibition looking at the importance of soil, the first-ever exhibition from choreographer Sir Wayne McGregor, and the premiere of Akinola Davies Jr’s latest film during the Summer Series. It’s going to be a big one! 

Virtual Beauty

3 out of 5 stars
‘Instagram face’, CGI influencers and AI sex dolls are all going under the microscope in the new Somerset House exhibition, Virtual Beauty.   Through more than 20 works, this pay-what-you-feel show explores the impact of digital technologies on how we define beauty today. The exhibition traces the origin of the digital selfie from the first flip phone with a front-facing camera, to today’s minefield of deepfake pornography, augmented reality face filters and Instagram algorithms. It’s primarily concerned with the ‘Post-Internet’ art movement, a 21st-century body of work and criticism that examines the influence of the internet on art and culture. In the first room, we encounter early artworks that comment on society’s gruelling beauty standards, like ORLAN’s disturbing 1993 performance that saw her going under the knife live on camera, and taking recommendations by audience members over the phone. Famous celeb selfies like Ellen DeGeneres’ A-lister packed Oscars snap are shown on a grainy phone screen, then we’re taken on a whistlestop tour of digital artworks, each one providing some sort of comment on beauty, society and the online world.   There’s a lot in Virtual Beauty that is pretty on the nose. We are shown a Black Mirror-style satirical advert for a pharmaceutical company called ‘You’, that offers people the chance to alter their appearance without plastic surgery – simply have a chip inserted into your brain, and the technology makes you appear different,...
  • Digital and interactive

Tai Shani: ‘The Spell or The Dream’

4 out of 5 stars
‘The sleep of reason produces monsters’. It’s a perpetually instructive aphorism that artists have repeatedly returned to. Francisco Goya used it to name one of his most well-known etchings from the late 18th century, depicting a character whose head rests on a desk, surrounded by shadowy creatures. Centuries later, in 2008, British artist Yinka Shonibare borrowed the image and title for another body of work. And now, the Turner Prize-winning artist Tai Shani’s new commission for Somerset House takes the ongoing sleep of reason as its starting point. In the grand Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, she has installed a ten-metre-tall blue figure, who lays supine, gently breathing with closed eyes. We’re told that this ethereal, childlike giant has slept through ‘warnings of present and imminent catastrophes, political and social disaster and environmental collapse.’ Watching its stomach peacefully rising and falling, it’s easy to believe that ignorance is bliss.  Here is a deft balance of content and form Encased in an illuminated casket-like glass box, the figure – the dreamer – is clothed in white lace and mesh. Visitors are invited to step onto its plinth for a closer look at the beautiful hand- painted sculpture, which is both imposing and delicate. On one end, its feet are each the size of a toddler; on the other, flushed cheeks and pink lips give the impression of a fairy tale princess. The Sleeping Beauty parallel is emphasised by an otherworldly, subtly swelling...

Step Inside 25 Birthday Weekend

It’s been 25 years since Somerset House transformed from a government office into a cultural powerhouse. Celebrate it’s big quarter century at this birthday weekend extravaganza, which free, open-to-all invitation for people to explore and get to know the entire building. Guests will be able to discover the lesser-known spaces including the Deadhouse and Maker Street where you can meet Somerset House’s resident creatives. There’ll also be dance, music, performance, exhibition viewings, film showings, workshops, tours, family activities, retail and more. Phew. Watch this space for more details closer to the time. 

Skate at Somerset House

Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up has long been one of the city’s favourite festive traditions, with thousands of Londoners and tourists alike making it part of their celebrations each year, and for good reason. Gliding (or nervously shuffling) around the rink, gazing upon the surrounding Georgian architecture and the courtyard’s magnificent 40ft Christmas tree feels like you’ve skated onto a movie set, ready to be watched by families settling in for their post-turkey food coma.  There’s more to this rink than just skating, though. Typically, there are seasonal drinks and warming food options available from a rinkside chalet. And there also a variety of events to keep you entertained throughout the season, including the venue's famous Skate Lates, where you can soar round the rink to a DJ soundtrack. How much does Skate at Somerset House cost? Ticket prices for Skate at Somerset House vary depending on what time you visit, with cheaper tickets at less popular times, and concessions available for kids. When to visit Skate at Somerset House Skate at Somerset House predictably tends a to be busiest during weekends, evenings and the days running up to Christmas, hence the elevated ticket prices for these times. For cheaper prices, consider visiting in the morning, as tickets tend to be less expensive before midday. Find more places to go ice skating in London
  • Ice skating
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