{"id":5052,"date":"2014-02-09T11:42:49","date_gmt":"2014-02-09T11:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/?p=5052"},"modified":"2022-09-19T11:05:54","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T11:05:54","slug":"somerset-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/destinations\/england\/somerset-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Somerset House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\"Somerset<\/a>

Somerset House in London – now hosts several events and winter sports.<\/p><\/div>\n

Somerset House is a neo-classical building and was the residence of the Dukes of Somerset. William Chambers built it way back in the year 1770. The building has been designed in such a manner as to resemble a cluster of four mansions along with a courtyard.<\/p>\n

In the past, this neo-classical edifice housed important government offices, which included the head office of the British Navy and the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the Society of Antiquaries, to name just a few.<\/p>\n

However, this magnificent edifice was thoroughly renovated and it now houses a gallery alongside two museums. The Courtyard Gallery in particular is one of London’s finest collections of artwork. The Gilbert Collection, which is a museum of decorative art is also worth a visit.<\/p>\n

The courtyard of Somerset House, which used to be a place for parking has been overhauled and, in its place, designer cascading fountains have been installed. In the winter, the courtyard is converted into an open-air ice-skating rink. The courtyard at Somerset House is a magnificent locale, especially after dusk as lights come on and the entire area seems like a bejeweled fairyland.<\/p>\n

Apart from ice-skating, a new extreme winter sport too has been introduced – the Ice Wall, wherein one can climb up a wall of pure ice with the help of crampons, ice picks and ropes. Other attractions of Somerset House are the Seaman’s Waiting Hall and also the Nelson Stair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Somerset House Map<\/h2>