All filming and photography that takes place within Somerset House requires advanced approval and sign-off. Residents can book free/ heavily discounted spaces around the site for small scale filming & photography.
Please click here for prices, shoot capacities and equipment permitted.
If your enquiry does not satisfy the criteria in the above pricing document, please get in touch with our Commercial Events team on events@somersethouse.org.uk.
Important information for filming & photography:
- If your request has not been approved (even if it is free of charge), security may intervene and stop your shoot. Notifying us in good time also allows us to inform the wider community (where shared spaces are concerned) so that your shoot is not interrupted, and to avoid double bookings.
- To qualify for the free/ heavily reduced rates, the filming & photography should not capture any recognisable parts of Somerset House (including the Courtyard). Once you have submitted an enquiry we will share a list of locations you can shoot from.
- The Courtyard and Upper Terrace are only available for use via the Commercial Events Team.
- Spaces are subject to availability and in shared or open spaces you may be limited to a specified amount of time.
- For our open/shared spaces (free or paid), please note that you may not have exclusive use of the space during your shoot.
- All shoots require a risk assessment to be submitted in advance.
- Any shoots occurring outside of private workspaces require Public Liability Insurance.
- Any footage of Somerset House, its shared workspaces and/or its members must in compliance with GDPR, with written consent from Somerset House Trust and anyone appearing in the imagery or footage.
- If you are working on a project with external press, please let us know. In some instances, we may be able to waive filming & photography fees in collaboration with our Press Team.
- If you are using flash photography or strobe lighting for filming, please indicate this upon inquiry and account for safe use in your risk assessment.
Please note:
- Somerset House is an active working arts centre, home to over 500 business and a busy programme of public exhibitions & private events. As such, we are only able to accommodate a limited number of new enquiries and cannot guarantee availability. We recommend enquiring for a booking at least a month in advance.
- Residents receive heavily discounted rates on venue hire as a benefit of being part of the Somerset House Community. A guide to the pricing structure can be found here. In order to qualify for these reduced rates, the hire must:
- Be organised, led and paid for by the resident themselves, and not on behalf of an external client or contractor.
- Be private/ invite only, and not openly advertised to the public
- Be free to attend. We cannot accept any bookings for activities where attendees will be charged to attend. Instead, your enquiry will be passed to the Commercial Events Team.
- Your total quote will vary depending on your requirements, the level of event management support you will need and any additional services required. You will be sent a tailored quote once we have discussed your requirements with you. The final cost may vary if your requirements change.
- For larger scale, public or commercial hires, you may be referred to the Commercial Events Team and your hire will need to be approved by our Programming Committee. Pricing for public events and larger spaces are available on request.
- If your activity may be of interest and benefit to the wider Somerset House Community, we may be able to provide some support. Please indicate this in your enquiry.
- If you have any queries please email resident.events@somersethouse.org.uk
All enquiries are reviewed by a panel twice a week, to make sure that we can facilitate your booking. You should expect to receive a reply to your enquiry within 4 working days.
