Somerset House Trust

In 1547, Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset, began the process of constructing a palace for himself on the banks of the Thames River in London. Over the next 450 years, Somerset House withstood wars, demolitions, reconstructions, and the Black Plague while bearing witness to key moments in British history. In 1997, the Somerset House Trust was established to preserve this storied space, which is now home to the United Kingdom's largest creative community.

With an innovative business model as an income stream, Somerset House welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year to participate in its public programming, which includes installations, exhibitions, artmaking, and educational events. Somerset House is dedicated to ensuring that its artistic studio space and public programming reflects the most relevant issues facing the world while nurturing the growth of emerging professionals. Above all else, Somerset House seeks to make this modern use of space wholly accessible — welcoming guests to a pet-friendly campus, complete with cafes, restaurants, office space, and activities for all ages.