Somerset House, The Lightwells And Deadhouse photo #0

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Somerset House, The Lightwells And Deadhouse

Strand, London, WC2R 1LA -

Up to
200 guests
Offers
catering

Built on historic foundations at the very heart of the capital, Somerset House is London’s working arts centre, home to the UK’s largest creative community and one of London’s best loved public spaces - run as a charity by the Somerset House Trust, all event hires directly contribute to its cultural programme, education and outreach work.

Our spectacular, neoclassical building offers 12 blank canvas event spaces, suitable for staging events of all styles and size. Clients also have the opportunity to enhance their event by connecting it with Somerset House’s diverse cultural programme, with private tours of the building and exclusive access to our exhibitions.

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.

The lightwells themselves are soaring spaces with graceful staircases and hidden nooks and crannies, a favourite of film location managers. They are two metres wide and run along three sides of The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court; whilst the Deadhouse runs under the courtyard, connecting the Lightwells from East to West. This unique and arresting space provides the perfect setting for creative parties and fashion shows that make use of its unusual architecture.

The Lightwells And Deadhouse

POA

Super speedy response

88% would book it again

Number of guests

Start date

End date

My dates are flexible

Capacity & layout

Standing

up to 200

Dining

up to 35

Pricing
& opening hours

Weekly schedule

monday
0:00 - 24:00
tuesday
0:00 - 24:00
wednesday
0:00 - 24:00
thursday
0:00 - 24:00
friday
0:00 - 24:00
saturday
0:00 - 24:00
sunday
0:00 - 24:00

Catering & drinks

Catering facilities

Refreshments

Alcohol

Amenities

Tea

Disabled access

Public transport

Premises parking

Breakout rooms

Space rules

Cancellation policy

Strict (50% refund up until seven days prior to arrival, except fees)

Location

Reviews

I. Morgan
February 2025
A few weeks ago, we spent a fantastic day exploring Somerset House and The Courtauld Gallery, and it was an experience well worth recommending. Somerset House, with its stunning neoclassical architecture, has a fascinating history. Originally built in the 16th century as a grand palace, it has served as a royal residence, government offices, and even a naval base. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, events, and creative studios. Walking through the courtyard, we could just imagine the history embedded in its walls. Inside, we visited The Courtauld Gallery, which is housed within the building. The collection is incredible—from Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère” to Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear”, there’s something breathtaking in every room. The current exhibition was particularly interesting, offering a deeper insight into Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. The gallery is a perfect size—big enough to be engaging but not overwhelming. It’s open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and a ticket costs £9 on weekdays and £11 on weekends. One great perk is that teachers get in free with valid ID! Whether you’re into art, history, or just looking for a peaceful place to wander, Somerset House and The Courtauld Gallery are well worth a visit. The combination of history, architecture, and world-class art makes for a memorable London experience.
Kate Nguyen
December 2024
This was my first time ice skating, so I couldn’t skate properly - but I absolutely enjoyed the spectacular view at Somerset House! It’s simply stunning! This is hands down one of the most beautiful ice rinks I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely worth adding to your bucket list!
Banya Hwang
February 2025
Summer's house in London is perfectly situated right next to the Thames River, offering stunning views and a charming gallery. During the winter months, the ice rink adds a fun touch, making it a year-round destination with something to enjoy no matter the season.
Sofiia Diana
January 2025
It’s an amazing place to spend your a day of your Christmas holidays in. It has a big ice ring, an amazing decorations and even a warm bar to stay for people who are not skating but unfortunately it has its own downs. We got the tickets almost a month before visiting (at least we thought tho) but turns out the card didn’t go through because they had some glitch on the website and our friends had to give us their ticket so at least one of us could skate. The other thing that I would say is they let WAYYYY to many people on at once people where crashing into each other cause there weren’t enough space But at all it’s a great place and very famous for being the original place of ice skating
Robert Brown
November 2024
Ice skating - BEWARE that an adult must accompany children on the ice. The ticketing website lets you book just children’s tickets only!! (Apparently it’s in the terms and conditions somewhere….) I am not able to skate and had planned to take my kids into London on my own to skate here as a treat. Luckily my wife came at the last minute and we managed to buy her a ticket, otherwise I would have had two very upset children!