If you're coming to London this June bring your coats. Temperatures are well below average, and the average summer here is mediocre to begin with. However, cold temperatures won't keep the hordes of tourists from the annual summer siege season. You can hide nicely from both at Somerset House:

Web site: www.somerset-house.org.uk
Location: The Strand
Tubes: Temple, Covent Garden, Charing Cross, or Embankment

Somerset House is a graceful edifice between the edge of the Thames (at least it used to be the edge) and the Strand. It is as close as London comes to the grand palace squares located on the Continent. Its central location and numerous attractions make it a worthy stop on all but the briefest of London visits.

Visitors are presented with numerous activities. Three galleries – the Courtauld Institute Gallery, the Hermitage Rooms, and the Gilbert Collection – are located within the building. Somerset House also hosts a number of outdoor concerts, lectures, talks, family activities, workshops and tours, plus it is home to a really funky fountain.

An introductory gallery as well as an information booth, Somerset House is found at the Embankment entrance. There are many events throughout the year. Those listed below are only the ones taking place during June.

There is a restaurant nicely located on the River Terrace, and food is available just inside the Seamen's Waiting Hall with seating available both on the River Terrace and the Courtyard. Be sure not to miss playing in the fountain, located in the courtyard.

Guided Tours

Highlights of Somerset House
Every Saturday at 1.30pm and 3.45pm, approx. 45 minutes, Tel: 020 7845 4600

Highlights of the Gilbert Collection
Every Saturday at 2.30pm, approx. 1 hour

The Galleries

Hermitage Rooms
South Wing, Somerset House
www.hermitagerooms.com
The Hermitage Rooms recreate, in miniature, the imperial splendour of the Winter Palace and its various winds which now make up The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The exhibit also includes the history of the Hermitage, learning facilities, and a live video link to The Hermitage in St Petersburg as well as information on Catherine the Great herself. Highlights include the list of rules Catherine wrote herself, which include not gnawing at the displays and not to bore the other guests. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Ticketmaster 0207 413 3398.

Courtauld Institute Gallery
North Wing
Home to some of the most famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces in the world, the Courtauld Institute Gallery is an impressive collection well worth a visit. The gallery also houses many Old Master paintings and objects d'art.

Gilbert Collection
South Building
www.gilbert-collection.org.uk
A gift to the nation, this exhibit is Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection of over 800 works of art. Highlights include European silver, snuff boxes, and Italian mosaics.

Concerts
Phone: 0207 845 4670

Intended to recreate the experience of an 18th-century evening, open-air concerts are held in the Courtyard. Afterwards food and drink service will be available. For more information or to book meals phone 0207 845 4657. There are two concerts in June:

• Thursday, 21 June, 7pm. Wind Soloists from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (a leading London Orchestra) perform Mozart Serenade in Bb, K361.

• Thursday, 28 June, 7pm. Soloists from the Philharmonia Orchestra perform R. Strauss Suite for Winds and Dvorak Serenade in D minor.

Family Workshops

Aristocrats!
Sunday, 17 June, 11:30am or 2pm (1 ½ hours).
Free for children and accompanying adults. Meet in the Navy Board Room, and learn the techniques of 18th-century make-up for men and women, followed by a tour of the Gilbert Collection.

Plaster Caster!
Saturday, 16 June, 11:30am-1pm, and 2-4pm.
To reserve call 0207 420 9406.
Cast your own plaster moulding in the morning, and return in the afternoon to decorate it.

Treasures of the Earth with Rockwatch
Saturday, 30 June, 11:30am-12:30pm and 2-4pm.
Free for children and accompanying adults. To reserve call 0207 420 9406.
The morning is a special tour to learn about the origins of objects in the Gilbert Collection, and in the afternoon you make your own marbled mosaic.

Adult Events
(in association with the Gilbert Collection)

Objects in Focus (talks on objects in the gallery)
The Russian Gates. Friday, 29 June, 2:30pm. Free with admission.

High Windows: Poetry and Architecture. Tuesday, 26 June, 7pm (1 hour). Booking essential: call 0207 420 9406. Talk exploring the relationship between poetry and architecture and the ways in which they engage with contemporary society.

The Poetry School
Somerset House hosts a number of courses and lectures run by the Poetry School. For details phone 0208 223 0401.

Sponsored by Railconnection

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Europe Insiders page.