Best for
Families in summer, ice-skating fans in winter, art lovers year-round
Time needed
30 minutes–2 hours depending on activities
Worth it?
Yes — a free, grand central London space with genuinely different appeal by season
Skip if
You're visiting between seasons with no current exhibition or seasonal event on
About Somerset House
Designed by Sir William Chambers from 1776 to house government offices and the Royal Academy of Arts (whose original exhibition rooms survive inside), Somerset House stands on the site of a Tudor palace on the Strand, its river-facing terrace originally built to allow direct access from the Thames before the Victoria Embankment pushed the riverbank further out.
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, the building's grand central courtyard, is the main public draw — a dancing fountain display through summer that children play in, and one of London's most atmospheric outdoor ice rinks each winter, set against the courtyard's neoclassical facades.
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Beyond the courtyard, Somerset House today functions as a major arts venue in its own right, hosting free contemporary exhibitions, photography shows and installations across the year, alongside the paid Courtauld Gallery in its North Wing and a riverside terrace café overlooking the Thames.
Entry to the courtyard and most exhibitions is free, making it one of the better central London spaces to simply sit, watch the fountains and enjoy grand architecture without spending anything, before or after visiting the Courtauld's collection.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, with summer fountain displays
- 2A popular seasonal outdoor ice rink each winter
- 3Free contemporary art, photography and installation exhibitions year-round
- 4Sir William Chambers's grand 1776 neoclassical courtyard architecture
- 5The riverside terrace café overlooking the Thames
- 6The Courtauld Gallery housed in the North Wing
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Insider Tips
The summer fountains are especially popular with children — bring a towel if they'll want to play
Book winter ice rink tickets well ahead — it's one of London's most popular seasonal rinks
Check what free exhibition is currently showing before you go
The riverside terrace is a good quiet spot to sit with a coffee
Combine with the Courtauld Gallery for a single Strand-based cultural visit
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Getting There
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Open in Google Maps →- 1Temple (Circle, District lines) — directly outside. Covent Garden (Piccadilly) is a 5-minute walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're visiting in summer and want to see (or let kids play in) the fountains
- You're visiting in winter and want to ice skate in a grand courtyard setting
- You want to check out a free contemporary art or photography exhibition
- You're already visiting the Courtauld Gallery and want the full building experience
Skip if...
- No current exhibition, fountain season or ice rink is running during your visit
- You're purely focused on the Courtauld's paintings and not the wider building
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Courtauld Gallery
A compact, world-class collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces inside Somerset House, from Manet's last major painting to Van Gogh's self-portrait.
Covent Garden
London's original planned public square, now a lively piazza of street performers, an indoor Apple Market, the Royal Opera House and London's oldest working theatre.