The Venue
About the venue, how to get there, and venue accessibility.
Key Information
Important
If you are not a student or staff member of King's College London, please note that before entering the venue, you need to visit the King's College London Strand Building's reception desk (see point B on the map below) on the ground floor, where we can register you as a guest. This is the main entrance of Strand Campus, parallel to the Strand entrance of Somerset House. You should be able to locate it to your right once you enter the building.
Photo courtesy of King's College London | King's Building
Visiting the East Wing, Inigo Rooms, and King's College London Learning Centre
All areas of Somerset House area are accessible via certain routes. Please note there is cobble stone pavings from the Strand into and in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court with a flat pavement around the edges.
The Strand entrance is the accessible route.
Wheelchair access to the entire East Wing is through WatchHouse.
Distances to the East Wing from our entrances:
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Strand entrance: 110m* (via WatchHouse or a ramp at East Wing Gallery entrance is available on request)
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Embankment entrance: 160m* (via WatchHouse or a ramp at East Wing Gallery entrance is available on request)
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Lancaster Place: 320m* via the Strand
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Waterloo Bridge: 400m* via the Strand
Accessible Toilets
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New Wing (please advise reception staff who will show you the route)
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South Wing Strand Level
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2 Accessible Toilets (one next to EAT TEN café, one opposite the end of the terrace rooms)
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South Wing Embankment Level (next to the Great Arch Hall)
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East Wing via WatchHouse entrance
About the Venue
As of last year, the festival takes place in the Somerset House. At Reflections of Multi-Selves, we aim to address the issues of racisms and Britain’s colonial past, interrogating the role of the Somerset House within colonial history.
Built in the late 16th century, it initially served as a grand residence. However, in the 18th century, it became central to colonial administration, housing key government departments like the Navy Board and the Royal Society.
The administrative and logistical work conducted at Somerset House sustained British colonies across the globe. From the Caribbean to India, this hub facilitated colonial governance, trade, and exploration, significantly boosting Britain's economic prosperity.
Today, it has been transformed into a cultural and arts center, building on its colonial history as a testament to the complex issues of colonialism. Visitors can explore its connections to history, power, and the arts in a post-colonial world, as Somerset House through researching its past, tries to make the space more open and accessible.
Photo courtesy of Kintija Kaune | AWA
Transportation
Find out how to get to the venue.
The section of the Strand outside Somerset House is now a pedestrian/cycle zone.
The Strand is permanently closed to traffic between Surrey Street and Waterloo Bridge.
Buses that previously stopped on Strand will now stop at new locations on Aldwych. Please visit the TfL website for alternative ways to travel. For more information please visit https://strandaldwych.org
By London Underground
Nearest Stations:
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Temple (Circle & District lines; 250 metres, 5-minute walk)
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Covent Garden (Piccadilly line; 650m, 8min)
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Charing Cross (Bakerloo & Northern lines; 700m, 10min)
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Embankment (Circle & District lines; 700m, 10min)
By Rail
Nearest Stations:
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Charing Cross (700m, 10min)
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Blackfriars (1km, 13min)
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Waterloo (1km, 13min)
By Bus
Buses 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1 and X68 all pass along the Strand and/or Aldwych, stopping within 100-200 metres of Somerset House.
By River
River Bus Services RB1, RB2 and RB6 all stop at Embankment Pier, roughly 600 metres from Somerset House.
By Bicycle
There are bike stands on the Strand, Aldwych and Victoria Embankment, close to Somerset House. Please note that there is no bike parking in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court or within Somerset House itself, and all bikes attached to the buildings or railings will be removed.
There are several Santander Cycles docking stations near Somerset House.
By Car
There’s no car parking at Somerset House, and very little on-street parking nearby. The closest car park is on Parker Street, WC2B 5NT. The Accessibility page contains details of accessible parking for Blue Badge-holders.
Somerset House sits within the Congestion Charge zone.
By Coach
There’s a coach-parking bay on Victoria Embankment.
All information provided by Getting Here | Somerset House (2023)
We recommend planning your journey via Transport for London (TFL) Journey Planner, CityMapper, or Google Maps for the best route.
Learn more about accessibility at the venue.
Accessibility
At Reflections of Multi-Selves, we are committed to ensuring that our festival is accessible to all attendees. We believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the music, art, and culture that our festival has to offer. We have taken several measures to ensure accessibility, and we are continuously working to improve and expand our accessibility features.
Accessible Entrances (Ramps):
➢ We provide accessible entrances with ramps to ensure that attendees with mobility impairments can easily access the festival grounds.
Chairs at the Venue:
➢ We offer seating options throughout the festival venue to accommodate attendees who may require chairs or seating to enjoy the event comfortably.
Signs for Accessible Toilets:
➢ Accessible restrooms are available, and we have clear signage in place to help attendees locate these facilities easily.
Catering (Vegetarian and Vegan Options):
➢ Our catering services include a variety of food options, including vegan choices, to cater to a range of dietary needs and preferences.
Sufficient Lighting:
➢ We ensure that the festival venue is well-lit to enhance safety and visibility for all attendees, day and night.
Avoiding Strobe Lights and Placing Warnings:
➢ We understand that strobe lights can be a concern for some attendees. We make every effort to avoid the use of strobe lights during our performances. In cases where they are necessary, we will provide clear warnings in advance.
Microphones:
➢ We use microphones and sound amplification to make sure that all attendees can enjoy the performances and presentations. This ensures that sound is accessible to a wide range of audience members.
Lack of Hearing Loops:
➢ Currently, we do not have hearing loops available. However, we are actively exploring options to improve sound accessibility for attendees with hearing impairments.
Lifts:
➢ Elevators or lifts are available to provide access to different levels of the festival venue, making it easier for attendees with mobility challenges to move around.
We welcome feedback from our attendees and are dedicated to improving accessibility continually. If you have specific accessibility needs or concerns, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create an inclusive and accessible festival experience for everyone.