The central courtyard of Somerset House in London. The pavement fountain was installed in the 1990s.

Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of The Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–1796. It was extended by respectfully classical Victorian wings to north and south. A building of the same name was first built on the site more than two centuries earlier. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 1408 KB) Somerset House, London Source: Jan van der Crabben (Photographer) File links The following pages link to this file: Somerset House ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 1408 KB) Somerset House, London Source: Jan van der Crabben (Photographer) File links The following pages link to this file: Somerset House ... Strand is a famous road in London, linking Trafalgar Square to Fleet Street and the City of London. ... Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7. ... The Thames (pronounced /temz/) is a river flowing through southern England and connecting London with the sea. ... View of the old Waterloo Bridge from Whitehall stairs, John Constable, 18 June 1817 Waterloo Bridge. ... Neoclassicism (sometimes rendered as Neo-Classicism or Neo-classicism) is the name given to quite distinct movements in the visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture. ... Architect at his drawing board, 1893 An architect is a person involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. ... Sir William Chambers (1723-1796) was a Scottish architect, (though born in Stockholm where his father was a merchant). ...

Early history

Old Somerset House, shown here in a drawing by Jan Kip published in 1722, was a sprawling and irregular complex with wings from different periods in a mixture of styles. The buildings behind all four square gardens belong to Somerset House.

Somerset House takes its name from the London home of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who commissioned a riverside mansion on the site in 1547, one of a row of noblemen's houses with fronts along the Strand. The building was constructed from stone removed from some of the chantries and cloisters at St. Paul's Cathedral which were demolished at the behest of Somerset and other leading Protestant nobles as part of the ongoing Dissolution of the Monasteries. Old Somerset House, shown here in a drawing by Jan Kip published in 1722, was a spawling and irregular complex with wings from different periods in a mixture of styles. ... Old Somerset House, shown here in a drawing by Jan Kip published in 1722, was a spawling and irregular complex with wings from different periods in a mixture of styles. ... Hampton Court, from Kip and Knyffs Britannia illustrata, 1708 The inexorably linked careers of Jan Kip and Leonard Knyff trace a specialty of engraved views of English country houses, represented in minute detail from the birds-eye view that was a long-established pictorial convention for topography. ... This may refer to: Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, an English statesman of the Tudor era (16th century) Edward Seymour (Treasurer of the Navy), A 17th century English statesman who served as Treasurer of the Navy during the First Danby Ministry Sir Edward Hobart Seymour, British admiral active during... The Duke of Somerset is a title in the peerage of England that has been created several times. ... Events January 16 - Grand Duke Ivan IV of Muscovy becomes the first Tsar of Russia. ... Strand is a famous road in London, linking Trafalgar Square to Fleet Street and the City of London. ... Chantry is a term for the English establishment of a shrine or chapel on private land where monks or priests would say (or chant) prayers on a fixed schedule, usually for someone who had died. ... Cloister of Saint Trophimus, in Arles, France A cloister (from latin claustrum) is part of cathedrals and abbeys architecture. ... St Pauls Cathedral is a cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London in London, and the seat of the Bishop of London. ... The Dissolution of the Monasteries (referred to by Roman Catholic writers as the Suppression of the Monasteries) was the formal process, taking place between 1538 and 1541, by which King Henry VIII confiscated the property of the Roman Catholic monastic institutions in England and took them to himself, as the...

When Somerset fell from grace in 1551 (being executed for treason the following year), the building passed to the Crown and was used by Princess Elizabeth for some years before she was crowned Queen Elizabeth I in 1558. Events Russia, Reforming Synod of the metropolite Macaire, Orthodoxy: introduction of a calendar of the saints and an ecclesiastical law code ( Stoglav ) Major outbreak of the sweating sickness in England. ... Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland Queen of France, nominal title Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. ...

During the reign of King James I, the building became the London residence of his wife Anne of Denmark, was renamed "Denmark House". She commissioned a number of expensive additions and improvements, some to designs by Inigo Jones. This expansion of the building continued during Charles I's reign, including the then highly controversial addition by his wife, Henrietta Maria, of a Roman Catholic chapel (also designed by Jones – who was later to die at Somerset House, in 1652). James VI of Scotland and James I of England and Ireland (occasionally known as King James the Vain) (Charles James) (19 June 1566–27 March 1625) was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland. ... Anne of Denmark (October 14, 1574 – March 4, 1619) was queen consort of King James I of England and VI of Scotland. ... Inigo Jones, by Sir Anthony van Dyck Inigo Jones (July 15, 1573–June 21, 1652) is regarded as the first significant English architect. ... Charles I (19 November 1600–30 January 1649) was King of Scotland, England and Ireland from 27 March 1625, until his execution. ... Henrietta Maria Henrietta Maria (November 25, 1609 - September 10, 1669) was Queen Consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (June 13, 1625 - January 30, 1649) through her marriage to Charles I. The U.S. state of Maryland (in Latin, Terra Maria) was so named in her honour by Cæcilius Calvert... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ...

After the English Civil War and the Restoration, Somerset House once again became a royal residence, and was refurbished by Sir Christopher Wren in 1685. During the 18th century, however, the building ceased its royal associations. Though the view from its terraced riverfront garden, open to the public, was painted twice on his London visit by Canaletto (looking upriver and down), it was used for storage, as a residence for visiting overseas dignatories and as a barracks for troops, but suffered from neglect and demolition began in 1775. The term English Civil War (or Wars) refers to the series of armed conflicts and political machinations which took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651. ... The English Restoration or simply Restoration was an episode in the history of Great Britain beginning in 1660 when the monarchy was restored under King Charles II after the English Civil War. ... Christopher Wren by Godfrey Kneller, 1711. ... Events February 6 - James Stuart, Duke of York becomes King James II of England and Ireland and King James VII of Scotland. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... There were 2 artists who went by the name Canaletto. ... 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Current building

Somerset House in 1817, showing how the Thames originally flowed right into the building.

Sir William Chambers, the premier British architect of his day (though his modern reputation is outshone by his less conservative rival Robert Adam), spent the last two decades of his life, beginning in 1775, in several phases of building at the new (present) Somerset House. One of his most famous pupils, Thomas Hardwick Junior, helped build parts of the building during his period of training. The masterpiece was completed after Chamber's death by James Wyatt. Image File history File links A_South_View_of_Somerset_House,_From_Waterloo_Bridge_by_Thomas_Hosmer_Shepherd,_published_1817. ... Image File history File links A_South_View_of_Somerset_House,_From_Waterloo_Bridge_by_Thomas_Hosmer_Shepherd,_published_1817. ... Several places exist with the name Thames, and the word is also used as part of several brand and company names Most famous is the River Thames in England, on which the city of London stands Other Thames Rivers There is a Thames River in Canada There is a Thames... Kedleston Hall. ... For the American politican, read the article Thomas W. Hardwick. ... Fonthill Abbey. ...

It was intended to house various learned societies, including the Royal Academy, which Chambers was instrumental in founding, and which had been among the last tenants of the previous building. Various government departments found quarters at Somerset House, and as these needed expanded space, the wings were added, first by Robert Smirke in the 1830s and then by Sir James Pennethorne, the West Wing being completed in 1856. Somerset House now presents more of the aspect of a terrace than Chambers would have intended. This article refers to an art institution in London. ... Sir Robert Smirke (1781-18 April 1867) was a leading 19th century British architect. ... Sir James Pennethorne (June 4, 1801 – 1871) was a notable 19th century English architect and planner, particularly associated with buildings and parks in central London. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... A street of British terraced housing In architecture and city planning, a terrace, rowhouse, or townhouse (United States) is a style of housing since the late 18th century where identical individual houses are cojoined into rows. ...

Thomas Telford, then a stone mason, but later an eminent civil engineer, was among those who worked on its construction. Thomas Telford (August 9, 1757 - September 2, 1834) was born in Westerkirk, Scotland. ... The term civil engineer refers to an individual who practices civil engineering. ...

Government use

Somerset House seen from the Thames Embankment.

Somerset House has been used by the Inland Revenue since it was created by a merger of the Stamp and Taxes Offices and the Excise Department in 1849. The Revenue's head office now occupies the east, west and new wings. Other government offices originally housed in the building included the Navy Board. Somerset House became particularly well-known during the 20th century as the location of family records, the General Register Office holding copies of all Birth, Marriage and Deaths certificates in England and Wales. Indexes to these are now at the Family Records Centre. In 2004, it was proposed that the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom be housed in the so-called "new" wing (ie the one completed in 1856), but a decision has now been made to use Middlesex Guildhall instead. Somerset House, London. ... Somerset House, London. ... Victoria Embankment, London The Victoria Embankment, previously the Thames Embankment is a road and walkway along the north bank of the River Thames in London in the cities of Westminster and London. ... In the UK, the Inland Revenue was a department of the British Government responsible for the collection of direct taxation, including income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax, petroleum revenue tax and stamp duty. ... For the international law of the sea, see Admiralty law. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... The General Register Office is that part of the government of England and Wales that deals with the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths. ... The Family Records Centre provides access to family history research sources for England and Wales. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom will be created under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to take over the judicial functions of the Law Lords in the House of Lords and from the Judicial committee of the Privy Council. ... The Middlesex Guildhall is a building on the south-west corner of Parliament Square in London. ...

A home for arts and learning

The Exhibition Room at Somerset House by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Charles Pugin (1800). This room is now part of the Courtauld Gallery.

As well as the Royal Academy, Somerset House was fitted out to house the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. These, and the Geological Society, moved to Burlington House in Piccadilly in the early 19th century. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1201x1011, 332 KB) Summary The Exhibition Room at Somerset House by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Charles Pugin (1800). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1201x1011, 332 KB) Summary The Exhibition Room at Somerset House by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Charles Pugin (1800). ... Thomas Rowlandson (July 1756 - April 22, 1827) was an English caricaturist. ... Augustus Charles Pugin Augustus Charles Pugin, born Auguste Charles Pugin, (1768 or 1769 to 1832) was an Anglo-French artist and architectural draftsman. ... The premises of the Royal Society in London. ... See: Society of Antiquaries of London Society of Antiquaries of Scotland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of investigating the mineral structure of the Earth. It is the oldest geological society in the world. ... Piccadilly is a major London street, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In the late 20th century the building was reinvigorated as a centre for the visual arts. The first new institution to move in was the Courtauld Institute of Art, including the Courtauld Gallery, which has an important collection of old master and impressionist paintings. In the late 1990s the main courtyard ceased to be a civil service carpark, and the main terrace overlooking the Thames was refurbished and opened to the public, these alterations being overseen by the leading conservation architects Donald Insall & Associates. A new visitor centre featuring audiovisual displays on the history of the building; the gilded Lord Mayor of London's state barge; and a shop and cafe were opened in the wing overlooking the river. The Gilbert Collection of decorative arts, and the Hermitage Rooms, which stage exhibitions of items loaned from the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, moved into the same wing. The Courtauld Institute of Art is a listed organisation of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. ... The Courtauld Institute of Art is a listed organisation of the University of London specialising in the study of the History of art. ... An Old Master (or old master) is one of the great European painters who lived 1500 through 1800, or a painting by one of these painters. ... See also Impressionist (entertainment): A girl with a watering can by Renoir, 1876 Impressionism was a 19th century art movement, which began as a private association of Paris-based artists who exhibited publicly in 1874. ... Michael Berry Savory. ... The Gilbert Collection was formed by the English businessman Sir Arthur Gilbert, who made most of his fortune in the property business in California. ... The Hermitage Rooms at Somerset House in London are a venue for temporary exhibitions of items from the collections of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg in Russia. ... The Hermitage Museum (Эрмитаж) in St. ...

In the winter the central courtyard is home to an open air ice rink. At other times an array of fountains whose vertical jets of water jump up and down to random heights afford an innovative opportunity for play and delight to children and adults alike. An ice rink is a frozen body of water where people can ice skate or play winter sports. ...

Somerset house was also the main location for the BBC's New Year Live television show, presented by Natasha Kaplinsky, which celebrated the arrival of the year 2006. Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... Natasha Kaplinksy - 1st November 2005 Natasha Kaplinsky presenting a Breakfast programme with her co-host Dermot Murnaghan. ...

External links

• Somerset House's homepage