As the home of cultural innovators, and host to the UK’s largest creative community, Somerset House connects creativity and the arts with wider society.
Our spectacular, historic building in the heart of London offers over 12 flexible, blank canvas spaces suitable for staging a breadth of events, alongside our outstanding cultural programme.
Portico Rooms
Located on the first floor of the South Wing, with original features, natural daylight and uninterrupted views of the London skyline the Portico Rooms are a spacious and versatile suite of rooms offering a contemporary and elegant location. This network of elegant 18th century spaces can be adapted and tailored to any event brief.
Included in your hire are two private balconies - whether you prefer to watch the sunset across the River Thames from the south facing balcony, or marvel at our sensational fountains from the north facing balcony, the Portico Rooms are a truly stunning venue for any event.
The Portico Rooms are connected to the Navy Board Rooms, and you can hire the two venues in tandem for larger bookings.
Capacities:
- 200 Reception (280 when combined with the Navy Board Rooms)
- 100 Lunch & Dinner
- 100 Theatre Style
- 60 Cabaret Style
This space is perfect for:
- Conference and Meetings
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
Navy Board Rooms
Steeped in history and dating back to the 18th century, the Navy Board Rooms are an impressive suite of rooms with a distinctive sense of charm and heritage. Climbing the grand, sweeping Nelson Staircase is an experience in itself, as each flight is a one-off architectural work of art. Entering the main space, marble fireplaces and wooden floors create a grand atmosphere, with large sash windows offering panoramic views across the River Thames.
Originally home to the Navy Board, overseeing British naval affairs around the globe, the Navy Board Rooms are now a hugely popular venue for press days, fashion events, meetings, conferences, receptions, dinners, wine tastings and exhibitions. The interconnecting rooms offer wonderful natural light, original features, and great flexibility. You can focus your booking on one room or use all three spaces for different purposes.
The interconnecting rooms offer wonderful natural light, original features and great flexibility. You can focus your booking on one room or use all three spaces for different purposes. For larger events, you can combine the rooms with the adjoining Portico Rooms.
Capacities:
- 100 Reception
- 50 Dinner
- 60 Theatre Style
- 32 Cabaret Style
This space is perfect for:
- Conference and Meetings
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
Seamen's Hall
The Seamen's Hall, located on the ground floor of the South Wing, has marble floors, imposing Corinthian columns and huge windows, making it the perfect space for receptions, private dinners and other evening gatherings.
Entered via central doors from our stunning Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, the hall leads directly out onto our exclusive River Terrace, a section of which is included in the hire of the Seamen’s Hall, offering panoramic views of the Thames and surrounding iconic London landmarks. With original period features including black and white marble flooring, it offers an air of expansive elegance, lending itself beautifully as an evening venue.
You can hire the Seamen’s Hall as a stand-alone venue or in combination with other spaces — for instance, a drinks reception in the Portico Rooms followed by dinner in this beautiful room.
Capacities:
- 200 Reception
- 100 Dinner
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
Embankment Galleries
Originally a barrel-vaulted barge house linked directly to the Thames, the Embankment Galleries are now a modern and adaptable events space. Spread over the ground floor and mezzanine level of the South Wing, this network of rooms have been reinvented to host Somerset House’s most celebrated exhibitions.
The Embankment Galleries are an exclusive space, rarely available for private hire. The mezzanine level is most impressive for large scale dinners and receptions, while the entire gallery offers a spectacular setting for press days and conferences.
Dramatic steel and glass feature staircases, hardstone flooring and bright feature walls introduce a contemporary and urban element to this historic venue. Offering the flexibility of a blank canvas space, the Embankment Galleries can be readily transformed and are also the perfect backdrop for catwalk shows and fashion presentations.
Capacities:
- 800 Reception
- 340 Dinner
- 320 Theatre Style
This space is perfect for:
- Conference and Meetings
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
East Wing
Located just across from our famous Edmond J Safra Fountain Court, this venue offers a blank canvas space featuring beautiful high ceilings and large windows, with a series of open plan, interlinking rooms.
The East Wing offers an abundance of space and natural light, perfect for events including press days and drinks receptions, while proving equally popular with location managers. The East Wing combines ultramodern flourishes with neo-classical lines, conveying a real sense of occasion to your guests.
Capacities:
- 300 Reception
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
- Exhibitions
River Terrace
Set against the backdrop of Somerset House’s iconic 18th century façade and with sweeping views across the Thames, the River Terrace is one of our most exclusive spaces and the perfect location for a standing reception.
The River Terrace is a glamorous alfresco London setting to entertain guests in the warmer months and the stunning Seamen’s Hall is included in your hire as a wet weather contingency, with a capacity of up to 200, along with jumbrellas.
Perfect for summer parties, you can invite your guests to a private barbecue expertly planned by one of our caterers or simply enjoy a drinks reception while the London landmarks light up your event.
Capacities:
- 500 Reception
This space is perfect for:
- Receptions
Lancaster Room
Located in our New Wing, the Lancaster Room is unlike any other venue at Somerset House. The aesthetically raw finish of the room, with dramatic pillars, high ceilings and exposed floorboards set against the stunning views over the Thames takes the original features of Somerset House and adds a contemporary cutting edge.
With its own private entrance, this venue has a huge potential for dressing and is the ideal choice for creatives. It is particularly popular as a space for immersive and experiential events, product launches, fashion shows and photoshoots.
Capacities:
- 220 Reception
- 110 Dinner
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
River Rooms
The River Rooms are a versatile suite of rooms situated in the New Wing, with a creative and raw aesthetic. These interlinking, open plan rooms retain faint touches from their former tenants which are highlighted by the custom-built lighting tracks. The room is complete with dramatic original fireplaces and exposed brick archways.
With its own private entrance, this venue has a huge potential for dressing and is the ideal choice for creatives. It is particularly popular as a space for immersive and experiential events, product launches, fashion shows and photoshoots.
Capacities:
- 220 Reception
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
West Wing
Entering directly from the grandeur of the The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, linked via spacious, stylish corridors and connecting doors, the West Wing can be adapted for a multitude of events.
With a selection of renovated rooms, this expansive area boasts light wooden flooring, beautiful fireplaces, high ceilings and ample natural light. The understated elegance of the West Wing has something to suit all tastes, with the blank canvas nature providing a fantastic backdrop for exhibitions, showcases, press days, product launches and experiential events.
This space is perfect for:
- Product Launches
- Exhibitions
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Located just a few short steps from the bustling activity of the Strand, in the heart of London, the Edmond J Safra Fountain Court is centred around the iconic fountains and surrounded on all sides by glorious 18th century architecture.
Popular with the public throughout the year, Somerset House’s most iconic experiences, staged in its courtyard, cannot be created elsewhere. They mix the unusual, the transgressive and the joyful in the most original and memorable ways.
The neoclassical backdrop offers a spectacular oasis for bespoke and unforgettable events, perfect for dinners, receptions, fashion events and brand activations.
The grandeur and heritage of Somerset House’s diverse venue, coupled with the expertise of our Events team, offer an unrivalled location for an unforgettable event.
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
Lightwells & Deadhouse
If you are looking to take your event beyond the ordinary and into the unknown, this unique subterranean space, rich in atmosphere and character, is the ideal location. The Lightwells and Deadhouse, hidden from the public gaze, are one level below our famous fountains. Running along three sides of the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, the lightwells are a long-time favourite of location managers for major film and television series. The Deadhouse, meanwhile, runs directly beneath the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, and its eerie memorials set into the walls help lend this underground tunnel an ambience all its own.
Descending the stairs from the courtyard, you will discover the unique architecture and unexpected hidden depths of Somerset House. With an abundance of secret nooks and crannies, this fascinating space is perfect for creative and surprising events with an edge.
Capacity
- 200 Reception
This space is perfect for:
- Dinners
- Receptions
- Product Launches
Screening Room
With fixed seating for 60 guests, and the possibility of adding 10 additional seats, the Screening Room offers an ideal space for presentations and lectures. With built in AV and a technician on hand, you can sit back and let your event run smoothly and efficiently in this quiet, stylish space. Offering a blank canvas, clients can brand the Screening Room as they wish. For a breath of fresh air, you can step outside and enjoy the nearby Embankment Galleries which host some of our major exhibitions.
Capacity:
- 60 Theatre Style (option to add 10 seats)
This space is perfect for:
- Conference and Meetings
Venue Overview
- Auditorium
- Public Venue
- Museum
Facilities
Audio / Video
Expo Area
Open Air Space
Location
Strand
WC2R 1LA - Greater London - England
Westminster