Somerset House Attractions on the River Thames
Courtauld Institute Gallery, River Terrace Café, Lord Nelson’s Stair
Aug 15, 2009
When Thomas Seymour, the powerful Duke of Somerset, finished building his palace on the great bend of the Thames in 1551, he could hardly have imagined, even in those dangerous Tudor times, that he himself would be executed for treason the following year, or the various uses that the Crown would find for his confiscated estate. See Somerset House History
Today there is a fine neo-classical building dating from 1775 when Thomas Seymour’s old palace had to be pulled down. Built round a spacious courtyard, it has three entrances, from The Strand, from Waterloo Bridge, and a third at the lower level from the Thames side Victoria Embankment. The whole complex is now a cultural centre housing the prestigious Courtauld Institute Gallery, several smaller exhibitions, attractive places to eat and reminders of Britain’s naval past.
Somerset House Entrance on The Strand, With the Courtauld Institute Art Gallery
The world famous Courtauld Institute of Art has a lecture theatre here, and the Courtauld Art Gallery in this block is reckoned to be one of the finest small art museums in the world. In just a few rooms, fine pictures and objects from the Renaissance through Baroque to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, stand out, but without the crowds that are usually found around such masterpieces. Artists represented include Botticelli, Rubens, Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne and Van Gogh. The best known works are:
- Edouard Monet’s ‘A Bar at the Folies-Bergère’, with its pretty barmaid looking directly at the viewer, as at a patron,while the reflection of her back in the ornate mirror challenges the viewer’s perception of viewpoint.
- Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic but disturbing ‘Self Portrait with a Bandaged Ear’.
The Courtyard and Fountain Court
This area is free to the public from any of the entrances, from 7.30 am to 11pm, and is usually flood-lit.
- In summer this elegant courtyard has an original and refreshing display of fountains by Edward J. Saffra, except when it is hosting a concert or other cultural events such a film screenings.
- In winter, from November to February, the Courtyard is converted to an ice skating rink. It looks particularly attractive over Christmas and New Year with a Christmas tree and seasonal lighting.
Somerset House Entrance at Embankment for The Seaman’s Hall and Lord Nelson's Stair
This part of Somerset House by the Embankment entrance was once the Admiralty Offices. The graceful Nelson Stair, one of several in the complex, was often used by Admiral Lord Nelson himself, Britain’s much loved naval hero, to reach the Navy Board Rooms, now used for special events. The Seaman’s Hall was used as an entrance for sailors to collect their pay, and houses fine models of many kinds of ships, with other naval memorabilia.
The Great Arch at the Victoria Embankment Entrance
This was originally a watergate down to the Thames, and the King’s Barge can be seen in the displays below it, along with old maps showing the development of Somerset House from Tudor times.
River Terrace Café, The Deli, Admiralty Restaurant and Bombay Sapphire Dusk Bar
These are just some of the attractive places to stop for a meal, snack or drink in Somerset House. The sophisticated Bombay Sapphire Dusk Bar glows blue from 6pm and is a popular place to celebrate the Navy’s traditional love of gin in a very contemporary setting against a backdrop of lights along the river. Lord Nelson and possibly even Thomas Seymour would have approved.
There are charges for entry to the museums, but much of Somerset House is free. Guided tours and workshops are also available, with access to other areas not open to the public.
For more information on forthcoming events:
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