Somerset House

Somerset House, formerly a royal residence, is a large building that resembles a palace with a huge central courtyard. It's found in the heart of central London, between Covent Garden and the River Thames. The building has had a number of uses over the years, first as a private residence, then a royal residence, then the offices of the Navy, the Royal Academy, Records...and today it houses a counseling center and art exhibitions. In the Courthauld Gallery, you'll find masterpieces by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters. And there's also a bar, a restaurant, reading rooms, and a beautiful terrace with stunning views of the river.