Times, Prices and FAQs

TIMES

We are closed on Mondays throughout the run.

Open from 12.00 to 23.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Open from 12.00 to 23.30 on Thursdays and Fridays,
Open from 11.00 to 23.30 on Saturdays
Open from 11.00 to 22.30 on Sundays

On Thursday and Friday evenings throughout the run we have programmed a line up of DJs as part of Dodge Lates - click here for details.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings/early afternoons throughout the run we have programmed a line up of DJs as part of Brunch & Bump – click here for details.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.00 to 15.00 those aged 12 and under can ride the dodgems for free. Subject to availability and height restrictions, check the 'When can my child have free dodgem rides?' section below for more details.

TICKETS

Table reservations are for 2 hours and include dodgem tokens and drinks for the table capacity. Standard ‘Dodge & Drink’ tickets are from £10 per person and pre-booked dining packages start from £27.50 per person.

Full details of our dining packages can be found on our Food & Drink page.

Walk-up visitors will be seated where there is availability, but we encourage pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

Advance tickets can be booked up to 10am on the day before your visit. Some tables will be available for walk-up bookings every day.

Online bookings for Summer Feast packages must be made 48 hours in advance.

BEFORE MY VISIT

How do I get there?

Please click here to go to our Plan Your Visit page.

On 19 August works will begin to switch Aldwych to two-way traffic on 22 August. Part of Strand outside Somerset House will also become a pedestrian/cycle zone on 22 August.

Travel disruption 19-22 August
Change of Aldwych to two-way operation is proposed to be undertaken from 19.00 on 19 to 22 August 2021. Both Strand and Aldwych will need to be closed to traffic while this operation takes place.

On Sunday 22 August, Aldwych will re-open as a two-way road and Strand will be permanently closed to traffic between Surrey Street and Waterloo Bridge.

There is likely to be major disruption while certain roads are closed, and it is advisable to avoid the area by road. 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

Do I need to do anything before I arrive?

Please ensure you have read your pre-event email and our visitor safety information page.

When should I arrive?

In order to secure your booking please arrive at the Strand entrance up to 10 minutes before and no later than 15 minutes from your booked table time.

Can I book over the telephone?

For telephone bookings call 0333 320 2836 between 09.00 - 20.00 - Mon-Fri, 10.00-20.00 - Sat, 10.00 - 18.00 Sun and Bank Holidays.

How can I pay on site?

Somerset House is a cashless site. All food and drink will be ordered through an app and dodgems are paid for through a contactless payment.

ABOUT THE DODGE EXPERIENCE

How long is the Dodge experience?

Your Dodge experience includes both a table booking of 2 hours, and a token for a dodgems ride which lasts three minutes and can be used at any point during your booking.

Are there any age restrictions?

Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied onsite by a responsible adult. There is a height restriction of 1.1m (1m 10cm) for riding the dodgems. Children between 1.1m (1m 10cm) and 1.3m (1m 30cm), must be accompanied by an adult in the dodgem. The height guides will be displayed at the dodgem entry point.

Do children count as part of the table/visitor capacity?

When booking your table size, children aged 5 or under will not be counted in the overall group size but children aged 6 or over should be included.

When can my child have free dodgem rides?

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 12.00 and 15.00 those aged 12 and under can ride on the dodgems for free!

This offer is also subject to availability and capacity onsite which will be managed by our visitor experience staff.

Can I share a dodgem with someone?

As long as they are in your party of guests then yes, otherwise you are welcome to ride a dodgem by yourself (as long as height restrictions are adhered to).

Can I bring belongings with me on the dodgems?

Please leave all unnecessary belongings with someone in your party. Any loose items such as hats or sunglasses are not permitted onto the ride. We advise not to bring any large bags with you as we do not have a cloakroom facility onsite and will not be able to store items for you.

When can I go on the dodgems?

You will get a token once you arrive for your table reservation which will gain you access onto the dodgems. You may go on the dodgems at any time within your allotted table reservation.

Can I go on the dodgems if I haven’t pre-booked a table?

Visitors without table bookings are welcome on the dodgems and to explore the site but we will be running the event within a site capacity to ensure the safety of all visitors so we would recommend pre-booking a table to ensure your access to the event. Tickets to dodgems are £5 per person and paid for by contactless payment by the entrance into the dodgems.

Can I go on the dodgems more than once?

You are welcome to go on the dodgems as many times as you’d like as part of your visit. After you have used your token as part of your table booking, you can pay at the entrance to dodgems at £5 per person, per ride. We would recommend pre-buying the Unlimited Dodgems upgrade’when buying your tickets which is an extra £5 per person and allows you to go on them as many times as you’d like within your visit. They are too fun to just go on once! Unlimited Dodgems upgrades are automatically included as part of the Bump & Brunch package available on weekend bookings between 11.00 - 12.45.

Are dodgem tokens transferrable if one of the party does not want to/cannot go on them?

With all table reservations you will be provided with tokens for the dodgems in line with the table’s capacity. As long as it is within your party, you are welcome to share these between you.

Can I book a larger group (of more than 6)?

If you would like to book larger groups over 6 seated on multiple tables, please contact our ticket line on 0333 320 2836. Please note multiple tables would be subject to availability and compatible seating times.

Our Commercial Events Team are also available to discuss exclusive hire in conjunction with Dodge at Somerset House and can be contacted on events@somersethouse.org.uk.

Are there accessible options available?

There are a number of “Pods” (up to six people) and “Duos” (up to two people) that are accessible that can be booked via 0333 320 2836. These tables are suitable for wheelchair users. If you were hoping to book a table of four and are a wheelchair user please contact visitor@somersethouse.org.uk and we can discuss options with you directly. If you are disabled and need a companion this will be available free of charge and can be arranged at the point of booking on any table. We have accessible toilets onsite and step-free access via the New Wing.

Are the dodgems wheelchair accessible?

Access to the dodgem track is step-free, but the dodgems themselves need to be stepped into and are operated with foot pedals. You are welcome to ride the dodgems if you are able to get in and out by yourself or assisted by a member of your party. Our staff will not be able to assist due to Covid-19 restrictions however, if you would like to discuss your visit in more detail please contact our Visitor Experience Team by emailing visitor@somersethouse.org.uk. You will be able to view the dodgems from the Courtyard and enjoy the music and Bumps Per Minute by Anna Meredith.

What is Bumps Per Minute?

Bumps Per Minute happens on the hour plus the times indicated below. Visitors will experience a spectacular sonic performance controlled by the dodgems themselves, from Mercury Award-shortlisted composer, producer, musician, and Somerset House Studios resident Anna Meredith, in collaboration with BAFTA-winning sound designer Nick Ryan. More information here.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays BPM also happens every 30 minutes after 18.00
On Saturdays and Sundays BPM also happens every 30 minutes after 14.30

What else can you see on your visit?

Please visit our website for additional activities on site. These include our Terrace Rooms Exhibition No Comply from 22 July and Gallery 31: Create, Capture, Organise, Pluralise, open from 01 July. Opening times and ticket booking information is available online.

Are Summer Series and Film4 Summer Screen happening this year?

In early 2021, we worked hard to explore the possibility of presenting Summer Series and Film4 Summer Screen, but after reviewing timelines, we had to make the difficult call that we would not be able to go ahead with these events in 2021. Dodge was originally developed in 2020 as a Covid-secure way to bring audiences to Somerset House over winter, though we were not able to present it last year due to the tightening of restrictions in Nov-Dec 2020. In light of the current situation, it became apparent that Dodge is the most feasible way for us to welcome audiences back to Somerset House and enjoy our beautiful outdoor courtyard with friends and family, and we are now delighted to present Dodge as a summer event.

EATING & DRINKING

I’ve booked a Pod (seats up to 6 people) but there are only 4 of us

You are welcome to choose this as an option and you will receive the full six person package. For example, if you book the Dodge & Drink package you will receive six dodgem tokens and six drinks on arrival which you can share between the four of you.

Do I need to pre-book a table in order to have a seat or purchase food and drink?

We will continue to follow the guidance from the government and be responsive to any changes laid out. We recommend pre-booking to ensure you are able to enjoy the dodgems, food and drink.

However, if you visit without a reservation and would like to purchase food and drink, please let the Visitor Experience staff at our on-site Welcome Booth know and they will endeavour to seat your group subject to availability. If you are exploring the site and don’t have a table booked there will be takeaway options available, subject to government guidance, see menu here.

How long is my table reservation?

Table reservations are for 2 hours. If you would like to remain at the event after your allocated reservation, please let the server on your table know and they will let you know if there is availability, if there is availability you may need to be relocated to a different table.

Can your menu options cater for dietary requirements?

If you have any specific dietary requirements, please contact our Visitor Experience Team visitor@somersethouse.org.uk with your name and your order number at least 72 hours in advance and we will endeavour to cater for them, gluten-free options are available.

How do I redeem my pre-bought food and drink?

Once you arrive at the Strand, you will be seated at your table by your host for the evening. They will check your booking with you before delivering your pre-ordered food and drink to you.

Can I buy food and drink when I arrive?

Yes! Once you are seated, there is an ordering app which you can access through a QR code provided at all of the tables. There, you can order as much food and drink as you’d like, and your server will bring everything over to you. If If you are exploring the site and don’t have a table booked there will be takeaway options available, subject to government guidance, see menu here.

My phone is too retro and cannot access the ordering app!

Not to worry. Just let the server know when they seat you at your table and they'll take your order throughout the evening.

Does your site have free Wi-Fi?

Yes, when you arrive you can access free Wi-Fi through your phone.

Is the outdoor seating covered/heated?

Seating areas have partial covers and open sides and are not heated. The event will go ahead rain or shine so please ensure you come prepared for all weather.

Last Orders

Last orders for food and drink will be 30 minutes before the closing time for the day of your booking. We will request guests finish their food and drink, and exit the site within an hour of last orders.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Dodge takes place within a contained area of the Somerset House courtyard and within this space, only food and drink brought from Jimmy's Pop-up can be consumed. However, there are a variety of spaces within Somerset House where you are able to consume your own food & drink. For more information see a member of the Somerset House Visitor Experience Team.

ABOUT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES

What happens if I have to self-isolate or a change in government guidance means I can no longer travel?

If you cannot attend:  

If you are unable to attend because you have symptoms or told to self-isolate please contact our Visitor Experience Team (at least 72 hours ahead of your planned visit) at visitor@somersethouse.org.uk  who will endeavour to book you into an alternative date subject to availability. If an alternative date cannot be found then we will aim to return the full payment amount to a credit voucher that will be held with Somerset House and can be used to purchase tickets for an alternative event or exhibition within two years of the credit issue. We cannot guarantee we will be able to exchange or credit any tickets booked if contacted within 72 hours prior to your planned visit.

What happens if the event is cancelled due to government restrictions or lockdown?

If Dodge is cancelled due to government restrictions you will be notified and will receive a full refund. Somerset House is a charity so please consider donating the cost of your ticket.

What if it is raining?

The event will go ahead rain or shine. The seating areas have partial covers and open sides. Please ensure you come prepared for all weather.