Somerset House, London

Somerset House, featuring four wings that encircle a spacious courtyard reminiscent of a Parisian h么tel, stands as the final remnant of the grand riverside mansions that once graced the Strand. While its appearance may suggest an ancient aristocratic palace, this edifice was actually purpose-built in 1776 by William Chambers to accommodate government offices, including the Navy Office.

Today, Somerset House's courtyard, paved with granite, offers a delightful retreat, thanks to a 55-jet fountain that gracefully spurts water from the cobblestones, performing a syncopated dance every half-hour (daily from 10am to 11pm). Throughout the year, the courtyard buzzes with activity, hosting open-air performances, concerts, installations, and during the winter season, an ice rink.

Inside, the building unfolds into a labyrinth of corridors, staircases, and exhibition spaces, housing several caf茅s and restaurants. The northern wing is home to the Courtauld Gallery, renowned for its exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Meanwhile, the southern wing boasts a charming riverside terrace with a caf茅-restaurant, and at riverbank level, you'll find the Embankment Galleries, showcasing innovative special exhibitions on contemporary art and design.

The east and west wings also contain galleries where temporary exhibitions spanning various visual arts, from sculpture to photography, are regularly presented throughout most of the year, often with free admission.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Somerset House
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Covent Garden Walking Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Covent Garden Walking Tour

A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market 鈥� currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.

Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Bridges of London

Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.

The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

London Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down鈥攊t bounced back,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...