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Somerset House
Event Space and Art Gallery
City of Westminster, London
The folks at Time Out London and The Telegraph like this place. Would you agree?
"Great for ice skating in the winter and outdoor movie nights!"(10 Tips)
"The summer open air cinema is awesome!"(3 Tips)
"Have a beautiful fountain court and nice outdoor cafes"(3 Tips)
"neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House is now home"(2 Tips)
140 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- open air cinema
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Time Out LondonMarch 27, 2012Somerset House features a formidable art gallery, a beautiful fountain court, a terraced café and a classy restaurant. The courtyard and fountains are open until 11pm in in summer. Read more
Cenker KöseMarch 30, 2016Check the gallery inside, there are nice & cosy collections from time to time from all over the world. And check for the outdoor movie nights in the summer! Also ice-skating is amazing in the winter.
Ruken TaylanSeptember 9, 2018Theme is "emotional state"! you can visit biennale between 4-23 Sep. There is also a lovely terrace where you can end your day drinking cold sparkling.
- Mia BAugust 9, 2014A beautiful building housing surprising and varied temporary and permanent collections and event. Definitely check what's on. Always worth a visit. The summer open air cinema is awesome!
Shamsa AbdulrahmanFebruary 14, 2016Great date night place for winter nights. Ice skating or watching people skate while having coffee is really nice.
Remi LefevreAugust 11, 2013If you love food, the current elBulli exhibition is unmissable: from the history of the restaurant to the creative process behind Ferranadria Adrià's genius modernist cuisine, it's... mouthwatering.
Velvet BrbiqueMay 9, 2013If you would like to experience fantastic atmosphere of traditional english elite. You welcone to visit Somerset house. All fresh news of art and modern are met within the beautiful castle type museum
Cate TFebruary 9, 2015Summer gigs in the courtyard are awesome - small and chilled but cheerful crowd, great sound and amazing setting. Worth it even if you don't love the band playing!
FilmsquareJune 16, 2013The courtyard of Somerset House was used as a generic St Petersburg square in Goldeneye (1995) where Jack Wade's car breaks down and James Bond assists him while discussing about his mission. Read more
Check out the various staircases (Stamp, Nelson, Courtauld and Miles) around Somerset House. Free tours on Thurs and Saturdays.
Luxos MagazineFebruary 9, 2012Hosting numerous contemporary art and design exhibitions, as well as open-air concerts, film screenings and other events and the most beautiful outdoor ice-rink in the city during winter... Read more
Ekaterina SkorobogatovaJanuary 28, 2016great sightseeing and the terrace overlooking the Thames, near Strand so very central and have good great exhibitions in Courtauld Gallery
Emily MohrAugust 7, 2014What a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. Fountains and little tables to sit and eat at. Simply enjoy a relaxing time in a wonderful atmosphere
New York HabitatOctober 11, 2011They offer free guided tours on the first Saturday of every month, but tickets are a first come first serve basis. Check out the free exhibition under the embankment galleries for a good introduction.- N 🧜♀️December 31, 2020Great exhibition and art gallery ! Have a beautiful fountain court and nice outdoor cafes
Definitely go see a film here when they're showing one. Any film will do.
In the Tomorrow Never Dies filmmakers decided to show this building as the War Office instead of the real old War Office in London. You can see it when Bond attend an emergency meeting held there.
Surface MagazineApril 22, 2016Housed in a neoclassical building between The Shard and River Thames, Somerset House continues to put on lofty shows. Read more
A maze of different galleries, exhibitions and eating place but a sheltered from the busy center
Alan PottsOctober 22, 2018Fab to visit and a great place to work. My business is based here and the facilities for events, meetings and training are second to none.
Shaun WestonNovember 17, 2016Right now, this place is all about the Christmas tree, the skating rink and the Fortnum & Mason lodge. Bring it on!
Ice Skating in the winter, Fashion in the fall, and just a nice place to sit the rest of the time.
Ashley DandoJanuary 8, 2016Ice skating on Christmas Eve was magical. Made me feel very festive, the champagne afterwards helped no end!
Sarah 🌠January 11, 2016The van Gogh collection is beautifull! You can check it out peacefully. It's much calmer than the national galery.
Otel.comOctober 11, 2011This Strand building is home to 3 amazing art galleries: The Gilbert Collection, the Courtauld Institute, and the Hermitage Rooms. Don't miss the courtyard with fountains—beautiful in the summer.
Sherie SwerdlowApril 6, 2014Always check the schedule to see what's happening. The El Buli Retrospective was phenomenal. Many great outings can be experienced here.
•¥• Alexandra Pássaro •¥•February 16, 2013One of the most emblematic places to visit in London and to get yourself lost. Always many venues occurring so visit the website to know what's on.
Alessandro CandeoDecember 28, 2015The coolest ice-skating place in downtown London! Great music and people.Go early to avoid sold-out.
National Maritime MuseumJuly 11, 2011Home to the Navy Board when built in the 18th century, it incorporated direct access to the river so officers could travel by barge to the dockyards at Deptford and Greenwich. Find your maritime story Read more- Time Out LondonFebruary 23, 2012Somerset House contains a formidable art gallery (the wonderful Courtauld), a beautiful fountain court, a terraced café and a classy restaurant. Read more
Louis VuittonJune 14, 2010Even if you are not visiting one of the many exhibitions and events organised here throughout the year, come to sit in its beautiful and quiet neoclassical courtyard away from London’s busy streets.
Andrea LazzariniNovember 18, 2014I discovered somerset house "by accident" the visual impact of the ice skating rink is stunning!
Betony KellyDecember 10, 2014Don't miss the cakes in Tom's Cafe. It's tucked inside of the main building and is a real find with great food.
- FilmsquareFebruary 1, 2014The Light Well in Somerset House acted as the cells of Pentonville Prison, where Lord Blackwood is held prior to his hanging in Sherlock Holmes (2009).
Michael ConnorsJuly 19, 2014Visited the Courtauld Collection. A hidden little gem with some great French impressionist paintings.
Very Good ServiceDecember 31, 2016A spectacular venue staging some great events. Definitely worth a visit if invited.
Jen Starr DustJanuary 21, 2015A new cafe called Pennethornes - excellent snacks, reasonably priced cocktails and stunning surroundings
misspuffyJune 23, 2012Excellent exhibits and events. The courtyard alone is a fabulous place to come and find peace.
- Morgans Hotel Group ManagerMarch 30, 2012Once a royal residence, the neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House is now home to three contemporary and classical art galleries, as well as the gilded State barge. Read more
Candid MagazineMarch 5, 2014Obviously amazing in Fashion Week however it is just as good out of, for its exhibits and the beautiful decor
- FilmsquareJune 19, 2013Somerset House courtyard and the turning into it from Strand appeared in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) as James Bond drives his DB5 in on his way to meet M. Read more
Nice enough place, some good events and exhibitions.
Evening StandardMay 11, 2012Summer Screen at Somerset House is a 12-day season of outdoor screenings which take place amongst the elegant colonnades of Somerset House’s expansive courtyard. Read more
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Somerset House is a spectacular neo-classical building in the heart of London. An inspiring space for art, culture and creative exchange.
Closed until 7:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 7:30 AM–11:00 PM
+44 20 7845 4600
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
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Places inside Somerset House
- 9.0
"A lovely gallery. Temporary exhibitions change frequently and you can always go back for the permanent one. Absolutely favourite! It is not free though."
Ieva Andrukaitytė - 9.0
"Brilliant - good-sized too. Get there 15 mins before, queues for skates can be slow."
Trojan Badger - 8.3
"Consistently great service. Delicious dishes, well composed and excellently executed. The desserts are a no miss."
Paul Gallagher
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"The drinks are the most reasonable in all of London. We had a pint & 2 wines for 12 quid...and the WIFI has a fast connection!"
Rebecca Frierson- 7.8
"Great place for seeing everything the London Coffee Festival! Very large and open spaced with plenty to see."
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"Brilliant place to attend free public lectures, most often in the evening, but also most Thursday lunchtimes."
Tom Szekeres
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