🏛️ Somerset House: London’s Neoclassical Masterpiece

Perched along the Thames on Strand, this grand Renaissance-style complex is a Georgian quadrangle built atop the ruins of a Tudor palace (originally home to the Duke of Somerset in 1547). Designed by Sir William Chambers (the King’s Architect 👑), construction began in 1776, with Victorian wings added later. Fun fact: It once sat directly on the riverbank—until the Victoria Embankment reshaped the shoreline in the 1860s! 🏗️ Architectural Highlights ✨ Neoclassical Splendor Symmetrical Corinthian columns, Enlightenment-era precision, and regal carvings. Thames-facing façade: Once a royal boat landing, with ceremonial staircases to the water. ❄️ Iconic Courtyard The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court transforms into London’s dreamiest winter ice rink! ⛸️ 🕳️ Hidden Depths 18th-century underground vaults—some of London’s best-preserved neoclassical subterranean spaces. 📍 Quick Guide Address: Strand, London WC2R 1LA Nearby: Covent Garden (5-min walk) | Waterloo Bridge views 🌉 Don’t Miss: Summer fountains 💦 | Fashion exhibitions 👗 | Film screenings 🎬 #LondonArchitecture #SomersetHouse #Neoclassical #HiddenLondon #CityWalks