Somerset House is situated on the southern side of the strand in central part of London. It overlooks the river Thames and is situated just east of Waterloo Bridge.

It is a large building and the central block of this neoclassical marvel of architecture is an outstanding project by Sir William Chambers and dates back in 1776-96. To the north and south, it was extended by classical Victorian Wings.

Earlier several reputed institutions were located in this building; the Royal Society and the society of Antiquaries were few of them. But in the 20th century, it had repositioned itself as the centre for the visual arts and the first institute to be set up here was Courtauld Institute of Art, which also include Courtauld Gallery. This gallery had several important collections of impressionist and the old master.