A historic building with a neoclassical façade, central dome, and illuminated fountains in front at Somerset House.
An event venue with a large open courtyard, colorful lighting on historic walls, and striped tents at Somerset House.
An event venue with rows of white chairs, wooden floors, and large windows in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House.
A spacious terrace with stone paving, outdoor seating, food stalls, and guests mingling at Somerset House River Terrace.

Somerset House

Historic Building

  8 reviews  – 
South Building, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA –
Temple Station (0.1 mi)
From £128
per person
Up to 800
seats
Up to 1500
standing
Venue offers catering
Parking not available
Manager's avatar
Events at Somerset House
Your Personal Event Manager from Somerset House
Response rate: 80%
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Partnered with Tagvenue for 10 years
This manager has been a trusted partner of Tagvenue, consistently recognised by customers for their reliability.
Excellent communication - 4.7/5
7 verified clients rated their communication with the venue manager as 4.7. They appreciated the manager's professionalism and quick response times.
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Spaces for hire at Somerset House

Edmond J Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
Outdoor Space
·
Semi-private area
800 seats
1500 standing
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court is a semi-private outdoor courtyard in Somerset House defined by a large, open paved court that serves as the venue's main outdoor event area. Design: The courtyard presents a broad, level stone surface under open sky and is bounded by classical stone façades and regular arched windows; the overall impression is forma...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £42000 hire fee
Enquire now
Portico Rooms at Somerset House
Portico Rooms
Event Space
·
Private space
100 seats
200 standing
The Portico Rooms are an Event Space in Somerset House characterised by classical columned architecture and formal proportions. Design: The Portico Rooms feature tall stone columns, timber decking and neutral stone finishes, producing high vertical proportions and clear sightlines. The space receives strong natural light that emphasises textures a...
Wedding licence available
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
Storage space
from £6600 hire fee
Enquire now
River Terrace at Somerset House
River Terrace
Terrace
·
Private space
500 standing
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 up to 500 people for a standing reception or, can be made to feel more intimate for smaller numbers. The River Terrace is a glamorous alfresco London s...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £16800 hire fee
Enquire now
Screening Room at Somerset House
Screening Room
Screening Room
·
Private space
70 seats
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 Scree...
Wi-Fi available
PA system / music speakers
from £2400 hire fee
Enquire now
Embankment Galleries at Somerset House
Embankment Galleries
Event Space
·
Private space
340 seats
800 standing
Originally a barrel-vaulted barge house linked directly to the Thames, the Embankment Galleries are now our most modern and adaptable events space. Spread over the ground floor and mezzanine level of the South Wing, this network of rooms have been reinvented as home to Somerset House’s most celebrated exhibitions, and host annual exhibitions such...
Wi-Fi available
from £18000 hire fee
Enquire now
Seamen's Hall at Somerset House
Seamen's Hall
Hall
·
Private space
100 seats
200 standing
Seamen's Hall, a Hall in Somerset House, is a high‑ceilinged reception hall defined by tall arched windows and classical architectural detailing. Design: The hall presents symmetrical proportions, decorative pilasters and an ornate corniced ceiling hung with a central chandelier above a pale patterned stone floor. Features: The hall provides an u...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £11400 hire fee
Enquire now
Lightwells and Deadhouse at Somerset House
Lightwells and Deadhouse
Basement
·
Private space
36 seats
200 standing
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. Our most atmospheric space lies hidden from the public gaze, one level below our famous fountains. Running along three sides of the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, the lightwells ...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £7800 hire fee
Enquire now
East Wing at Somerset House
East Wing
Blank Canvas
·
Private space
60 seats
200 standing
East Wing is a private space in Somerset House that features long white-walled gallery surfaces serving as a blank canvas for displays and installations. Design: The room presents polished wide-plank wooden floors, decorative mouldings and an ornamental fireplace. The interior uses track-mounted spotlights and tall doorways that create clear sight...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £12000 hire fee
Enquire now
Lancaster Room at Somerset House
Lancaster Room
Event Space
·
Private space
150 seats
220 standing
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 entra...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £9600 hire fee
Enquire now
River Rooms at Somerset House
River Rooms
Event Space
·
Private space
220 standing
River Rooms is an Event Space in Somerset House. Tall arched windows deliver abundant natural light. Design: A classical interior with high ceilings and ornate cornices. Pale plaster walls and a light stone floor create a restrained, formal backdrop. Features: River Rooms includes on-site Wi‑Fi and step-free wheelchair access. The room's open pla...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £9600 hire fee
Enquire now
West Wing at Somerset House
West Wing
Event Space
·
Private space
500 standing
Entering directly from the grandeur of 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 19 renovated rooms, this expansive area boasts light wooden flooring, beautiful fireplaces, high ceilings and ample natural light. The understated ele...
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
from £9600 hire fee
Enquire now
Navy Board Rooms at Somerset House
Navy Board Rooms
Event Space
·
Private space
60 seats
100 standing
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 c...
Wedding licence available
Wi-Fi available
Natural light
Air conditioner
Storage space
from £4800 hire fee
Enquire now

Reviews and ratings

4.6
Amenities
5.0
Location
5.0
Service quality
5.0
Value for money
5.0
Catering
3.0
Communication
4.7
Verified reviews come from Tagvenue users. All reviews are checked by our team to uphold our trust and safety standards.
LK
Laurelle K.
Verified review
Exhibition · 100 guests · November 2018 · Portico Rooms
Room: beautiful, clean and spacious.The venue offers a great deal of history to share with your guests. Event managers/ staff: superb, going above and beyond to support our event. Location: in central London and therefore very easy for guests to access via London terminals.
Spaces are booked on dry hire. Costs can build up quite quickly. Everything is an additional charge. Something to bear in mind when booking if you're not familiar with this type of venue hire. Night time security: treated our event like it was a night club, being quite forceful rather than helpful.
4.6
NR
Nelly R.
Verified review
Excellent communication
5.0
JB
Jake B.
Verified review
Excellent communication
5.0
TW
Tess W.
Verified review
Excellent communication
5.0

Prices and opening hours

Monday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Tuesday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Wednesday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Thursday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Friday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Saturday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee
Sunday
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Portico Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £128 per person
Navy Board Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £138 per person
Seamen's Hall
17:30 – 23:00
from £11400 hire fee
Lightwells and Deadhouse
7:30 – 23:00
from £7800 hire fee per day
East Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £12000 hire fee per day
River Terrace
17:30 – 22:00
from £16800 hire fee
Embankment Galleries
7:30 – 23:00
from £18000 hire fee per day
Lancaster Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
River Rooms
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
West Wing
7:30 – 23:00
from £9600 hire fee per day
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court
7:30 – 23:00
from £42000 hire fee per day
Screening Room
7:30 – 23:00
from £2400–£3600 hire fee

Best Price guarantee: you will always pay the same price as booking directly with the venue, and we never add hidden or processing fees.

Facilities and catering options

Up to 1500
standing
Up to 800
seats
External catering allowed
Promoted / ticketed events
Alcohol provided
Unavailable: In-house catering
Unavailable: Parking available
Unavailable: Accommodation available
Unavailable: BYO alcohol

About Somerset House

Somerset House is a Trusted Tagvenue Partner, validated by the Tagvenue team with a record of successful bookings on the platform.

Somerset House is a historic neoclassical building and cultural complex centred on a large central courtyard.

Venue highlights: Somerset House offers adaptable galleries and grand period rooms suitable for promoted, ticketed exhibitions, performances and launches. The building provides technical and visitor infrastructure to support ticketed events and has step‑free access via lifts to all floors for accessible private hire.

Best for: Ticketed exhibitions and art launches; award ceremonies and cultural presentations; evening receptions and private performances.

Location: The Strand runs along the north bank of the River Thames; the area places the venue close to major museums and theatres that guests can visit before or after an event.

What guests say: Somerset House regularly hosts large, promoted photography exhibitions and other ticketed cultural shows. Somerset House's principal rooms and galleries provide distinctive architectural backdrops that enhance exhibitions and presentations.

FAQ

No. As a dry hire venue, catering, AV, production and all other requirements, including furniture, are separate from the venue hire fee and must be provided by one of our accredited suppliers; as Somerset House is a Grade I listed building, non-accredited suppliers are not permitted to work onsite.

Yes, the venue is offered as dry hire; catering, AV, production and all other requirements (including furniture) are separate and must be provided by accredited suppliers.

No, there are no commercial kitchens onsite; accredited caterers bring in satellite finishing kitchens.

At Somerset House, the following catering options are available:

  • The venue works with an approved list of external caterers

Somerset House does not offer parking facilities.

Here are some event spends from guests who recently held events at Somerset House:

  • Portico Rooms hosting 100 guests: £8640
  • Lightwells and Deadhouse hosting 100 guests: £12000
  • Edmond J Safra Fountain Court hosting 250 guests: £18000

For detailed pricing tailored to your event, please contact the venue.

Somerset House is located at South Building, in The Strand, London. The nearest metro station is Temple Station.

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South Building, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Temple Station (0.1 mi)
Public transportation
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  • Subway Temple 0.1 mi
  • Subway Embankment 0.3 mi
  • Subway Covent Garden 0.3 mi
  • Bus No. 3 Fleet Street Chambers 0.3 mi
  • Bus Waterloo Road (Stop M) 0.4 mi
  • Bus Waterloo Road (Stop L) 0.4 mi
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Somerset House is popular for

Private Dining Engagement Party Creative Space Wedding Function Room Corporate Event Outdoor Space Bar Hall Conference Meeting Performance Party Birthday Party Unusual Space Christmas Party Restaurant

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UK > London > Central London > The Strand > Somerset House