Somerset House is one of the most important artistic centers in the city of London and the whole country.
The imposing neoclassical building is located in one of the most beautiful courtyards in Europe on the south side of the Strand.
It was designed by Sir. William Chambers and built between 1776 and 1796.
Later, in the Victorian age, the spaces were enlarged with the addition of two wings, one to the north and one to the south.
Today Somerset House is home to one of the most vibrant and active cultural hubs that
it aims to support, help and make new generation artists grow without fearing social change but, on the contrary, facing it as a concrete possibility of growth and enrichment.
It is no coincidence that exhibitions and performances often concern particularly relevant topical issues such as climate change or exploitation at work.
Somerset House is one of the most visited English arts centers and welcomes around three million people each year who are invited to actively participate in the planned activities. The latter are many and satisfy the needs of the general public.
Somerset House in addition to its own art center, also houses the Courtland Institute of Art, the Courtland Gallery, one of the most important art collections in the UK and King's College.
Somerset House Strand, London, United Kingdom
Opening hours
| opens - closes | last entry | |
| monday | Closed now | |
| tuesday | Closed now | |
| wednesday | Closed now | |
| thursday | Closed now | |
| friday | Closed now | |
| saturday | Closed now | |
| sunday | Closed now |
Admission to Somerset House is free, but you currently need to book in advance for exhibitions and events.
Gallery & exhibition spaces
Terrace Rooms
New exhibition No Comply: Skate Culture and Community is open from 19 Jul – 19 Sep 2021, open Sat – Tue 11.00 - 18.00, Wed - Fri 12.00 - 20.00. Last entry 30 minutes prior to closing time. If you would like to visit you will need to book a timed slot in advance.
Please note the exhibition is closing early for the day at 16.00 on Tue 20 Jul. From Wed 08 - Sun 12 Sep the exhibition is open to Photo London ticket holders only.
Gallery 31, New Wing
New exhibition Gallery 31: Create, Capture, Organise, Pluralise is open from 01 Jul – 31 Oct 2021, open Mon – Sun 10.00 - 18.00.
*Check individual exhibition information for other exceptions.
Strand entrance
08.00 - 23.00
Great Arch Entrance on Victoria Embankment
08.00 - 19.00
New Wing
08.00 - 21.00
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
08.00- 23.00 daily*
The fountains are currently switched off.
Seamen’s Hall
08.00 - 23.00
River Terrace
From 08.00 daily
* Our gallery and exhibition spaces sometimes open late for exhibitions and special events. The Edmond J. Safra Court is occasionally closed for concerts, film screenings and other special events.
