William Chambers's central house is neoclassical in design, whilst the north and south wings are Victorian. Somerset House has been described as "the greatest English public building since Greenwich" (Sir John Summerson), and they are currently continuing the tradition. The new fountains in the great courtyard of Somerset House on the north bank of the Thames are the first public fountains to have been commissioned since those by Charles Barry were installed in Trafalgar Square. A grove of water-jets in the centre of the square spring up from its granite paving. Electronic choreography controls it all throughout the day, and at night are magically illuminated by tiny fibre-optic lenses around their bases.

Written by  George Monkhouse.

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