Somerset House

Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of The Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–1796. It was extended by respectfully classical Victorian wings to north and south. A building of the same name was first built on the site more than two centuries earlier.

Government use

Somerset House has been used by the Inland Revenue since it was created by a merger of the Stamp and Taxes Offices and the Excise Department in 1849. The Revenue's head office now occupies the east, west and new wings. Other government offices originally housed in the building included the Navy Board. Somerset House became particularly well-known during the 20th century as the location of family records, the General Register Office holding copies of all Birth, Marriage and Deaths certificates in England and Wales. Indexes to these are now at the Family Records Centre. In 2004, it was proposed that the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom be housed in the so-called "new" wing (ie the one completed in 1856), but a decision has now been made to use Middlesex Guildhall instead.

Related Topics:
Inland Revenue - Navy Board - 20th century - General Register Office - Family Records Centre - 2004 - Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - Middlesex Guildhall

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