Somerset House celebrates Best Christmas Venue Award with festive treats for event organisers

Somerset House, one of the capital’s most iconic events spaces, has won Best Christmas Venue in the London Venue Awards. Judges commented that the setting of Somerset House, with its soaring Christmas tree and ‘magical’ ice rink, was comparable to the Rockefeller Center in New York.

To celebrate their award, the Events Team are offering a festive treat of four complimentary ice-skating tickets to each event organiser who books a Christmas party at Somerset House this year. Organisers can also book a private view of the venue’s ground breaking new ‘Peanuts’ exhibition alongside their venue hire, as a welcome addition to their Christmas party. The highly anticipated Good Grief, Charlie Brown! Celebrating Snoopy and the Enduring Power of Peanuts, opened in the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House on 25th October and runs until Spring 2019.

The London Venue Awards judges also commented on the range of options and event spaces which make the venue accessible for a lot of Christmas party budgets.

The East Wing Galleries, primarily used as an exhibition space as part of Somerset House’s cultural programme, is available this year for Christmas party packages for up to 300 for a standing reception. With beautiful high ceilings, grand windows and interlinking rooms, the East Wing offers a versatile and opulent space for the festivities. Partnering with Plain Jane Events, a creative events agency with over 20 years’ experience, the East Wing Galleries will come alive during this Christmas period. Plain Jane Events has extensive experience in all elements of event management, production and styling and can guarantee delivery of amazing events from concept through to completion. Music will also be provided by accredited entertainment supplier, Eight Ray Music.

Alternatively, organisers can book a Christmas lunch package for up to 100 in the striking Portico Rooms - choosing from either a three-course seated lunch or a lavish buffet. Organisers booking this space can wow their guests with an al fresco drinks reception overlooking the renowned ice rink.

Stephanie Bevan-Moss, Deputy Head of Corporate Events at Somerset House, comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to win Best Christmas Venue in the London Venue Awards. Not only has the venue become renowned for epitomising Christmas with its stunning ice rink and unrivalled festive atmosphere, but the events team has worked incredibly hard to ensure guests enjoy a Christmas party to remember.”

Event organisers who want to book a Christmas party can contact the events team on: 0207 845 4618 / events@somersethouse.org.uk

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About Somerset House

Inspiring contemporary culture

One of the city’s most spectacular and well-loved spaces, Somerset House is a new kind of arts centre in the heart of London, designed for today’s audiences, artists and creatives – an inspirational community where contemporary culture is imagined, created and experienced.
 
From its 18th Century origins, Somerset House has played a central role in our society as a place where our culture and collective understanding of the world is shaped and defined. In 2000, it began its reinvention as a cultural powerhouse and home for arts and culture today, creating unique and stimulating experiences for the public, bringing them into direct contact with ideas from the greatest artists, makers and thinkers of our time. Our distinctive and dynamic year-round programme spans the contemporary arts in all its forms, from cutting-edge exhibitions and installations to annual festivals, seasonal events in the courtyard including Film4 Summer Screen, Summer Series and Skate, and an extensive learning and engagement programme.
 
As well as welcoming over 3million visitors annually, Somerset House houses the largest and most diverse creative communities in the country – from one-person start-ups to successful creative enterprises including MOBO, British Fashion Council, Dance Umbrella, Improbable Theatre, Hofesh Schecter Company, and Dartmouth Films.
 
In 2016 we launched Somerset House Studios – a new experimental workspace connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Currently housing over 80 artists and Makerversity (a community of over 250 emergent makers), the Studios are a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaboration, promoting work that pushes bold ideas, engages with urgent issues and pioneers new technologies. www.somersethouse.org.uk
 
 
Somerset House offers 13 highly versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces including:
               Indoor Spaces

• Portico Rooms –  Somerset House’s most popular private hire venue offers balcony views over both The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court and the River Thames. With a capacity for 200 standing, 80 people for a seated lunch and dinner and 100 people for theatre-style seating, Portico Rooms provide a flexible yet grand space for all kinds of events from press days and receptions to dinners and wine tastings.
• Navy Board Rooms – These four inter-connected rooms were originally home to the Navy Board, overseeing British naval affairs at the start of the Empire. The layout offers great flexibility - from one specific room to the use of all four spaces for a range of purposes with capacity for 100 standing, 50 people for seated lunch and dinner and 32 for cabaret-style seating.

• West Wing ­­ – Entered via the striking grandeur of the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, guests experience a feeling of calm and space as they enter the West Wing Galleries. With 15 newly renovated rooms, this expansive area boasts light wooden flooring, sweeping high ceilings and plenty of natural light. The understated elegance of the West Wing Galleries has something to suit all tastes, with the blank canvas galleries providing a fantastic backdrop for showcases, press days, product launches and experiential events.

 
Outdoor Spaces
 

• River Terrace – The River Terrace location offers glorious views of the South Bank across the River Thames, offering a spectacular setting for al fresco events from summer parties to outdoor receptions. The space holds a capacity of 500 standing. Included in the hire is Seamen’s Hall, a wet weather option with a capacity of up to 200.
• The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court  – The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court is situated around Somerset House’s elegant fountains and is surrounded on all sides by glorious 18th century buildings. This space is home to some of the best-loved events such as Film4 Summer Screen, Summer Series and Skate, the winter ice rink. This exclusive outdoor space with a capacity of 1500 is available for bespoke evening events on a limited number of specific dates throughout the year.
• Lightwells and Deadhouse – The Lightwells and Deadhouse are a favourite for film location managers for film and television and have frequently been used as a backdrop for film and TV including Downton Abbey and Sherlock Holmes. This unique subterranean space, full of atmosphere and charm, is the ideal location for out-of-the-ordinary events.  The unique space is available for receptions, press days and launches and capacity varies for each event.

 
 
Connect with Somerset House:
Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk
Twitter: @SomersetHSVenue
Facebook: @SomersetHouse
 

 
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Eveleen Hatch PR                             Telephone 01491 412134
 
Eveleen Hatch                                                               
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