Somerset House
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Phone
+44 20 7845 4600Hours
SuSunday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
MoMonday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
TuTuesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
WeWednesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
ThThursday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
FrFriday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
SaSaturday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Strand, London, WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom
Friday: 10AM–7PM
SuSunday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
MoMonday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
TuTuesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
WeWednesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
ThThursday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
FrFriday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
SaSaturday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
People typically spend 2.5 hr here
About
Somerset House, a neoclassical riverside palace, has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it was built as a residence for Edward Seymour. Over time, it served as a royal residence and government offices before being transformed into its current state. The courtyard hosts various events including open-air performances and an ice-skating rink in winter.Why you should go
- Experience grand Neoclassical architecture with a rich history
- Attend diverse exhibitions ranging from Beano to Hello Kitty-inspired art
- Enjoy family-friendly activities like badge making sessions
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Menu and popular items
Highlighted reviews
This was my first time ice skating, so I couldn’t skate properly - but I absolutely enjoyed the spectacular view at Somerset House!
It’s simply stunning! This is hands down one of the most beautiful ice rinks I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list!
I visited the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House with my brother and sister.
While the venue itself is absolutely beautiful and the staff were very welcoming and professional, I was quite disappointed by the exhibition.
The quality of the photographs and their presentation did not really meet my expectations. Despite the impressive setting, the exhibition didn’t feel worth it.
A bit of a letdown, unfortunately.
Ice skating - BEWARE that an adult must accompany children on the ice. The ticketing website lets you book just children’s tickets only!! (Apparently it’s in the terms and conditions somewhere….)
I am not able to skate and had planned to take my kids into London on my own to skate here as a treat. Luckily my wife came at the last minute and we managed to buy her a ticket, otherwise I would have had two very upset children!
See all reviews
Know before you go
- Check Somerset House's website for event schedules and free entry opportunities to plan your visit accordingly
- Visit during winter for unique experiences like ice skating or summer for courtyard concerts
- Bring food for a picnic as there are benches available or enjoy cafes on-site
- Arrive early to avoid crowds at popular exhibitions like CUTE or Hello Kitty-themed displays
Reviews
Somerset House in central London is a grand Neoclassical complex with a rich architectural heritage, offering various exhibitions and events throughout the year. Visitors praise the iconic Edmond J. Safra Court for large-scale events, the well-curated Beano exhibition, and family-friendly activities like badge making sessions. The venue's spirit of 'Step Inside, Think Outside' fosters creativity and innovation for all ages and backgrounds. Reviewers also highlight the beautiful building overlooking the River Thames, lovely fountains where kids can play freely, top-class cafes and restaurants on-site, as well as engaging exhibitions like CUTE that delve into subversive cute culture beyond fluffy kittens.Review score
4.4out of 5
Review score
4.0out of 5
5 stars
1090
4 stars
364
3 stars
95
2 stars
33
1 star
78
This was my first time ice skating, so I couldn’t skate properly - but I absolutely enjoyed the spectacular view at Somerset House!
It’s simply stunning! This is hands down one of the most beautiful ice rinks I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list!
I visited the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House with my brother and sister.
While the venue itself is absolutely beautiful and the staff were very welcoming and professional, I was quite disappointed by the exhibition.
The quality of the photographs and their presentation did not really meet my expectations. Despite the impressive setting, the exhibition didn’t feel worth it.
A bit of a letdown, unfortunately.
Ice skating - BEWARE that an adult must accompany children on the ice. The ticketing website lets you book just children’s tickets only!! (Apparently it’s in the terms and conditions somewhere….)
I am not able to skate and had planned to take my kids into London on my own to skate here as a treat. Luckily my wife came at the last minute and we managed to buy her a ticket, otherwise I would have had two very upset children!
Beautiful spot great gallery very helpful at desk. Remember to book a ticket for the private exhibitions to save yourself. Coffee was nice in cafe and sun was out
It’s an amazing place to spend your a day of your Christmas holidays in. It has a big ice ring, an amazing decorations and even a warm bar to stay for people who are not skating but unfortunately it has its own downs.
We got the tickets almost a month before visiting (at least we thought tho) but turns out the card didn’t go through because they had some glitch on the website and our friends had to give us their ticket so at least one of us could skate.
The other thing that I would say is they let WAYYYY to many people on at once people where crashing into each other cause there weren’t enough space
But at all it’s a great place and very famous for being the original place of ice skating
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Phone
+44 20 7845 4600Hours
SuSunday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
MoMonday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
TuTuesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
WeWednesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
ThThursday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
FrFriday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
SaSaturday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Strand, London, WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom
Friday: 10AM–7PM
SuSunday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
MoMonday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
TuTuesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
WeWednesday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
ThThursday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
FrFriday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
SaSaturday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
People typically spend 2.5 hr here