gallery, community/cultural, concert/performance space, education
Sir William Chambers, 1775
Strand, WC2R 1LA
This special occasion marks Somerset House's transformation from government offices to an internationally acclaimed cultural hub, inviting visitors to explore rarely seen spaces and engage with our vibrant creative community.
Embankment, Covent Garden, Temple, Charing Cross
Charing Cross, Waterloo, Blackfriars
6, 9, 11, 15, 87, 91, 176, 1, 13, 139, 168, 171, 172, 188, 23, 243, 26, 341, 521, 59, 68, 76, RV1
10:00–18:00
A rare chance to discover the hidden secrets of this historic building and experience the creative energy of its resident community.
10:00–17:00
A rare chance to discover the hidden secrets of this historic building and experience the creative energy of its resident community
Guided tour
11:00–12:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade I Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
12:00–13:00
Explore Somerset House with family and friends: Discover its exciting history. Walk corridors and staircases of Kings, Queens, & Commoners.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Audio Described Tour
13:00–14:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade I Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society (AD)
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
14:00–15:00
Explore Somerset House with family and friends: Discover its exciting history. Walk corridors and staircases of Kings, Queens, & Commoners.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
16:00–17:00
Explore Somerset House with family and friends: Discover its exciting history. Walk corridors and staircases of Kings, Queens, & Commoners.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
17:00–18:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade I Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
17:15–18:15
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade 1 Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Walking tour
19:15–20:30
Discover the history and architecture of the world’s longest public art commission along the Thames, ending with a tour of Somerset House.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Walking tour
19:45–21:00
Discover the history and architecture of the world’s longest public art commission along the Thames, ending with a tour of Somerset House.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
11:00–12:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade 1 Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
12:00–13:00
Explore Somerset House with family and friends: Discover its exciting history. Walk corridors and staircases of Kings, Queens, & Commoners.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Audio Described Tour
14:00–15:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade 1 Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society (AD)
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
15:00–16:00
Explore Somerset House with family and friends: Discover its exciting history. Walk corridors and staircases of Kings, Queens, & Commoners.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
16:00–17:00
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade 1 Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
16:15–17:15
Historical tour of Somerset House: Grade 1 Listed building with a rich history of art, science and pioneers who have shaped our society
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
This special occasion marks Somerset House's transformation from government offices to an internationally acclaimed cultural hub, inviting visitors to explore rarely seen spaces and engage with our vibrant creative community.
The weekend will be filled with a diverse program of free, family-friendly events, installations, performances, and workshops. Highlights include a pop-up basketball installation, immersive disco experiences from the CUTE exhibition, and drawing workshops inspired by our beloved Peanuts exhibition. You'll also have the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and visit artists' studios on Maker Street, discovering where new works and ideas are developed.
Experience a new large-scale sculpture from Turner Prize-winning artist Tai Shani and installations in lesser-known spaces like The Deadhouse and Maker Street from Somerset House Studios residents such as Nick Ryan and GAIKA. Somerset House's resident culinary community, including our new riverside bar and restaurant Setlist, will offer bespoke food and drink throughout the weekend. Don't miss this rare chance to discover the hidden secrets of our historic building and experience its creative energy firsthand.
As night falls, don’t miss Waterloo Bridge glowing “Somerset House Blue” as part of Illuminated River.
Thank you to 886 by The Royal Mint who are our Innovation Supporter across the weekend.
Walking tour
Join a captivating journey through the City of London with our exclusive Muslim Heritage Tour. Discover the deep connections of Salahuddin Ayubi and marvel at the UK's oldest Muslim statues, dating back 1000 years. Uncover the legacy of England’s most famous Middle Eastern immigrant and delve into fascinating tales of crime and health in history.
Drop in
institution/profession, historical house
A very good example of Georgian/Adam architecture. Restoration in 2012 of the Great Room (James Barry paintings), and Benjamin Franklin room. Restoration in 2019 and installation of 1754-2018 mural in the Long Gallery.
Adam Brothers, 1774
