We're back, so join us for a summer like no other
Somerset House is the perfect place to reconnect with culture, friends and family, or work colleagues. We're delighted to be able to open our doors again and welcome visitors back for a summer cultural programme filled with treats.
From showstopping global design and a thrilling new open-air dodgem experience, to essential creative career events and a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from our River Terrace bar, we have so much to offer you over the coming months. Read on to discover just a few of the highlights.
What's On
LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE
Our summer kicks off in the first week of June as we welcome the world’s most ambitious and imaginative designers and curators to Somerset House to explore how ground-breaking design can impact the way we live.
With Es Devlin’s spectacular Forest for Change as the centrepiece of the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, you can see how countries, territories and cities, including Antarctica, the African Diaspora, Canada, Hong Kong and Venezuela are responding to this year’s theme of Resonance.
01 – 27 JUN
SITE-WIDE
GENERAL ADMISSION FROM £22.50
BUCKLE UP - HERE COMES DODGE
Our summer of thrilling experiences continues in July with Dodge. The courtyard will once again be reimagined, this time by Yinka Ilori, one of the most in demand figures currently working in design, and transformed into a joyful spectacle of colour, sound and energy.
You’ll ride dodgems as you’ve never experienced them before, with your collisions helping to generate an interactive musical composition by Anna Meredith, who has teamed up with fellow Studios resident Nick Ryan. Meet up with friends and family in Yinka Ilori’s vibrant open-air art installation, take time out with mouth-watering selection of food and drinks from pop-up legend Jimmy Garcia, or join us at Dodge Lates and Bump & Brunch for amazing DJs.
15 JUL - 22 AUG
EDMOND J. SAFRA FOUNTAIN COURT
FROM £10
Exhibitions
CREATE, CAPTURE, ORGANISE PLURALISE
Featuring video, sculpture, sound and printed works, explore the body as an archive; a record of collective stories, experiences, and memories in the latest exhibition in our Gallery 31 series, dedicated to profiling our Studios community of artists.
01 JUL – 31 AUG
G31, NEW WING
FREE, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
NO COMPLY:
SKATE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
Through the work of leading photographers, designers and filmmakers, we celebrate the UK’s vibrant and diverse skateboarding scene, documenting the transformative influence it has played in shaping people, cities and culture over the last 45 years.
19 JUL – 19 SEP
TERRACE ROOMS
FREE, PAY WHAT YOU CAN
Stop by for a refreshment
With so much to see inside and out around Somerset House it's likely you'll want to take a moment to sit back and reflect. Luckily you don't need to look far for a selection of first class food and drink offerings.
Enjoy speciality coffee and fresh daily offerings in WatchHouse or sample locally sourced, nutritious snacks that support responsible suppliers in E10 Cafe. In the New Wing, chef Skye Gyngell's Spring offers exceptional seasonal dishes within a beautiful dining space, while Pennethorne's is open all day for contemporary cocktails, craft beers, wine and snacks. Or take to the Somerset House Terrace with San Miguel to savour a little taste of Spain. The warm and inviting atmosphere with views of the Thames makes it the perfect destination to reunite with friends from sunrise to sunset.
What's Online
ART NIGHT 2021
Art Night returns for an ambitious fifth edition, taking place nationwide and online. As part of the festival, experience four new digital works with our Studios resident artists Sonya Dyer, Imran Perretta & Paul Purgas, Philomène Pirecki and OOMK, premiering online.
18 JUN – 18 JUL
ONLINE + NATIONWIDE
FREE
SATURDAY SCHOOL LIVE
Improve your skills as a creative entrepreneur with this series of essential online workshop sessions, teaching the basics of business, from 'Wellbeing at Work' to 'Getting Started with Digital Marketing'.
SAT 05 JUN, 12.00 - 20.00
ONLINE
FREE
HOPE IN THE HEAT
Hope in the Heat is a project from the Somerset House Future Producers and Studios resident Superflux that invited six emerging creatives to imagine hopeful visions of a climate altered tomorrow.
The series of interactive works, visual displays and films brings together the Future Producers’ creative responses and speculative visions of our relationship with future life forms and the shape of our cities.
