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Somerset House in London is a historic palace rebuilt in the 1700s, now containing arts and cultural exhibitions, part of King’s College, and a public ice rink. The neoclassical structure has a famous oval staircase and a courtyard hosting open-air concerts and exhibitions. The complex offers guided tours and houses the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Seaman’s Hall exploring the history of the Royal Navy.
Somerset House in London is a historic landmark rebuilt in the 1700s and consisting of a large C-shaped stone structure surrounding a Tudor-style paved courtyard. The original building, completed in 1551, served as a palace for the uncle of Henry VIII’s young son Edward VI. Kings, queens and dukes used the complex as a place of residence. Some rooms in the building served as government offices, including the Revenue Agency and the registry office for the registration of births, deaths and marriages. Somerset House now contains arts and cultural exhibitions along with part of King’s College in the east wing.
The massive neoclassical structure has architectural features including Doric and Ionic pillars and stone railings, running across the front perimeters of the ground floor and roof. A famous feature of the interior is the Nelson Stair in the South Building, an oval staircase, which many consider a work of art. The structure winds upwards with stairs and landings fixed to the wall. A skylight installed above the stairwell provides light from the bottom up. Externally, a river terrace runs alongside the Thames and provides access to Waterloo Bridge.
The expansive backyard covers over 39,000 square feet (3,700 square meters). In addition to the historic statues, the center of the paved area contains 55 water fountains, illuminated by fiber optics at night. During the winter months, the space serves as a public ice rink with various vendors lining the perimeter for the convenience of the public. During the warmer months, Somerset House’s courtyard hosts open-air concerts, art and fashion exhibitions.
The complex offers guided tours throughout the facility detailing the use and history of the building which include the Tudor scandal, the Georgian-era Enlightenment, and advances in science and naval power. The Courtauld Institute of Art is one of the British museums in the complex which houses exhibitions of famous paintings created by the Masters, along with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks. The collections also include silver and gold artifacts and former personal items donated to the museum. This area of the building contains galleries, a café and a gift shop.
The Seaman’s Hall at Somerset House explores the history of the Royal Navy through documents, paintings and model ships. The area formerly served as a place where officers waited for their appointed commissions. The 18th century Admiralty barge stands in the Thames near the Seaman’s Hall. The Lord Commissioners of Admiralty once used the vessel, which is now open to tourists.
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