Somerset House

#67

A riverside palace turned powerhouse of art and ideas. The present neoclassical complex (1776–1801) by Sir William Chambers was purpose-built for national institutions—Royal Academy, Royal Society, and Navy Board—before evolving into a major cultural campus with the Courtauld Gallery, seasonal courtyard events, and contemporary exhibitions. Think of it as London’s salon: historic bones, modern brain, open to the city. Give yourself 60–90 minutes for the courtyard, river terrace, one exhibition, and a Courtauld hit.

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Opening Hours

Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00

Monday: 10:00 – 19:00

Tuesday: 10:00 – 19:00

Wednesday: 10:00 – 19:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 19:00

Friday: 10:00 – 19:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 19:00

What's not to miss inside?

The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court

From ceremonial parade ground to playful civic stage

Fifty-odd choreographed jets sketch patterns across the stone; in winter it transforms into one of London’s most atmospheric ice rinks.

Stand by the north range and line up the jets with the pediments—geometry made watery.

📍 Central courtyard

River Terrace

The city’s back porch

Where a Tudor palace once looked onto the river highway; today it’s prime people-watching with bridges framed like stage sets.

Find the Waterloo Bridge view and spot the skyline ‘timeline’ from St Paul’s to the South Bank.

📍 South side overlooking the Thames

Courtauld Gallery Taster

Masterpieces upstairs from a working courtyard

Manet, Cézanne, Gauguin—an intimate hang where Impressionism feels newly minted.

Pick one painting you ‘know’ and read just the wall text’s first line—then re-look for 60 seconds.

📍 North Wing (separate ticket)

Chambers’ Staircases

Neoclassical stagecraft

Shallow risers and generous landings choreograph your body through light wells and arches.

Climb without looking down—watch how the daylight pools and thins at each turn.

📍 State staircases in the central blocks

What’s On Now

Contemporary commissions in historic rooms

Installations and festivals that treat the building as collaborator, not backdrop.

Before entering, ask: ‘What does this room want the art to do?’ Then test the answer inside.

📍 East/West Wings, Embankment Galleries

🤓 Fun Facts

The Royal Academy’s famous Summer Exhibition was held at Somerset House from 1780 to 1837—Turner first showed here as a teenager.

Somerset House replaced a lavish Tudor riverside palace built by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset (Lord Protector to Edward VI).

Sir William Chambers, the architect, also designed the Great Pagoda at Kew—hence the building’s cool confidence in theatrical vistas and axial views.

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National Portrait Gallery

Weekend Fun

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