Somerset House logo
Architectural detail of Somerset House, showcasing its grand facade and classical design elements.

General Information

Download our site map

Visitor Notice: Sunday, 19 July

Planning a visit this Sunday? Please note that some public areas at Somerset House will be closed or have amended hours due to the Summer Series: Lightning Seeds event, which begins at 2:30 pm.

Closed All Day

  • Holy Pop!
  • Cafe Petiole

Amended Hours

  • Watchhouse: Closes early at 11.30am.
  • Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court: Closes at 1pm and reopens at 7.30pm.

Open as Normal

  • M.C. Escher. The Exhibition: Open as normal. Please enter via the Great Arch entrance on Victoria Embankment.
  • The Courtauld Gallery: Open as normal. Please enter via the Strand.

Fountains

The fountains in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court are taking a short break while we prepare for our exciting summer programme. They'll be back from 10 August!

Information Desk

The information desk is in Seamen’s Hall, at the heart of the South Wing, and is open every day. You can enter Seamen’s Hall directly from The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court or the River Terrace. Head here for details of all our exhibitions and events.

Baby-changing Facilities

You can find baby-changing facilities on the ground floor of both the New Wing and the East Wing, and on the ground floor and Victoria Embankment levels of the South Wing.

Cloakrooms

There are no permanent cloakroom or luggage storage facilities at Somerset House. We do have temporary pop-up cloakrooms for specific events.

The nearest luggage storage facility is located at Charing Cross station, a 10 minute walk from Somerset House.

Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout Somerset House. All other dogs are welcome on the River Terrace and in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court during regular open hours. Dogs must be kept on a lead and are not permitted to enter the fountains. Only assistance dogs are permitted on site-during ticketed courtyard events and inside exhibitions and events.

Lost Property

If you think you may have lost something during your visit, visit the information desk in Seamen’s Hall. If you’ve already left Somerset House, please call 020 7845 4600 or email us at visitor@somersethouse.org.uk.

Filming & Photography

We’re happy for visitors to take photographs for personal use everywhere except the King’s Barge House. However, some exhibitions may have restrictions on photography, and you can’t use a flash when taking photos at The Courtauld Gallery. If you’d like to take wedding photographs here, please contact us in advance. See here for more information about filming & photography on site.

For information on commercial photography and filming, contact our Venue Hire team.

Please note our Security and Duty Management Team have the right to ask for any photography/filming at Somerset House to stop.

Smoking

Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes is allowed on the River Terrace, in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court and in designated areas of the Upper Terrace, but is not permitted in any Somerset House building.