WONDER: Why We Believe in Magic - Relaxed Session
We are hosting a relaxed session for anyone who would like to explore WONDER in a calm and comfortable environment on Sat 13 Mar 2027, 10–11.30am.
| Dates | Sat 13 Mar 2027 |
| Times | 10–11.30am |
| Space | Embankment Galleries South Wing |
| Price | Full Price - £19.50 Concessions - £15.50 Child (15 and under) - Free Young People (16-21) - £12.50 Student - £12.50 |
Relaxed sessions are to enable visitors with additional needs such as sensory processing differences, SEND or other neurodivergence to experience an exhibition in a comfortable and calm environment. Lighting levels are raised, sound/AV lowered and capacity is lowered in the gallery by 50% or more.
To ensure that WONDER is as welcoming and calm as possible, we:
- Limit the number of visitors in the session
- Turn off or lower the volume of audio-visual elements in the space
- Provide a visual story to help you plan your visit
- Provide Access Packs – available at the WONDER entrance. These contain noise cancelling headphones, magnifying glass sheet for reading any printed text, a large print guide and a fidget toy
- Run regular disability awareness sessions with our staff
- Provide a safe/calm space to help assist visitors who may be overwhelmed due to the new environment
For any questions about our Relaxed Sessions, please contact visitor@somersethouse.org.uk. Lines are open between 9am-6pm between Monday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Please be aware that we do not offer refunds or exchanges as per our terms and conditions of sale.
Magic isn't just found in fairy tales – it can be found in the everyday. Opening this February, our major new exhibition explores why humans continually return to magic, wonder and belief to make sense of a world we can never fully explain.
Journeying across time and cultures, the exhibition explores how magic has shaped the way we understand, imagine and navigate the world, from ancient rituals and alchemy to contemporary phenomena such as WitchTok and AI.
When you step inside, you'll discover extraordinary objects spanning thousands of years. Encounter rare historical treasures including a 40,000-year-old carving, the famous nineteenth-century 'witch in a bottle', crystal balls and magical manuscripts. You'll also experience immersive artworks: gaze into a magic mirror, receive a cosmic tarot reading to take home, contribute your own wish to a shared space, and enjoy rare access to the ideas behind some of the world’s most famous stage magic illusions.
Designed for curious minds of all ages, an interactive trail will guide younger visitors through the exhibition. Best of all, children under 16 can visit for free.
WONDER: Why We Believe in Magic is curated by by Somerset House's Senior Curator Claire Catterall.
Header Image: Glimmer by Sian Fan. Photography by Dan Pluck