Who owns somerset house

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After Somerset's demise in , the house belonged to Princess later Queen Elizabeth. It was from Somerset House that Elizabeth rode to welcome her sister Mary on the latter's accession to the throne. After Elizabeth herself came to the throne she gave part of Somerset House to Edward Seymour, son of the Lord Protector, and kept part of it for her own use, and as grace and favour apartments for crown retainers.

The house was given to Anne of Denmark in , and it was used for theatrical performances, including masques by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones. The latter had an apartment at Somerset House. Anne of Denmark lay in state at Somerset House by then renamed Denmark House after her death in James I also lay in state at Denmark House after his death in Charles I gave the property to Queen Henrietta Maria, and it stayed in royal hands until , when Parliament took control, and the name reverted to Somerset House.

Inigo Jones died at Somerset House during the era of Parliamentary control, and in Oliver Cromwell lay in state here. Sometime during this period, Somerset House became the first building in England to use parquet flooring. From it was used primarily for grace and favour apartments. Chambers created a grand building in neo-classical style, arranged around a central courtyard, with a separate north wing.

In a statue of George III was built to act as a focal point for the courtyard. The Thames came right up to the foot of the south terrace this was before the Embankment was built.

In Chambers' design was extended with the addition of an east wing designed by Robert Smirke. Somerset House has been the home of several of Britain's most prestigious organizations over the years, including the Royal Society, the Society of Antiquities, Royal Navy, and Inland Revenue. But the body most often associated with Somerset House is the General Register of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, which occupied the north wing for over a century until Now, Somerset House is a multi-purpose venue, with offices, cafes, art galleries, a seasonal ice rink, and a museum.

The Courtauld Institute of Art moved here in , and the associated Courtauld Gallery eight years later. The Gilbert Collection of silver, gold, and mosaics has been housed in Somerset House since Visiting Somerset House is quite an experience; the neo-classical architecture is quite spectacular, and the view from the riverside terrace is superb.

It is completely free to enter the building, but there is a charge for the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery entrance is on Strand, but the rest of Somerset House can be entered either from Strand or from Embankment. This unusual staircase gave access to the Stamp Office, based in Somerset House from The Stamp Office was responsible for 'stamping', or marking official documents to show that the correct tax, or 'stamp duty' had been paid.

What is certain is that Seymour was tried and hung for treason in , the same year the mansion was finished. Subsequently, a host of events — the Civil War, the Plague of , the fire of London — pre-empted the slow decline of Somerset House, despite the masquerades and festivities that took place within its walls.

Demolition of Somerset House began in , and a new House rose from the rubble — very slowly one might add, as it took 25 years! The finished building was worth the wait.