Channel is Somerset House’s new curated online space for art, ideas and the artistic process.
Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Skate returns to Somerset House this winter, welcoming visitors for an unparalleled skating experience in the heart of the capital. A beloved staple of London’s winter season, Somerset House’s spectacular courtyard will be transformed this year into a glorious festive destination with new headline partner Switzerland Tourism.
Bringing a uniquely Swiss winter vibe to Somerset House, Switzerland Tourism provides the backdrop for the ultimate winter experience for both thrill seekers and traditional winter lovers alike. Across the season, visitors can enjoy specially curated sessions inspired by the Swiss regions of Bern, Lucerne and Valais, as well as an activation presented by Swiss International Air Lines.
A host of festive experiences for all ages will be available to enjoy on and off the ice across the season, including the ever-popular daytime skating lessons with Skate School. All sessions on the ice are wheelchair accessible, with exclusive wheelchair sessions and chilled out sessions for those who need them available throughout the season.
2023 will see a new series of rink-side deck takeovers at Skate Lates with Rock Angel (of Chateau d’Esclans, home of Whispering Angel). Celebrating exceptional moments of culture and creativity, Rock Angel presents a curated line-up of contemporary DJs, artists and collectives, bringing full energy to the rink.
Those looking to unwind off the ice can do so in the style and comfort of the Skate Lounge, which this year will be transformed by Whispering Angel into a wash of pink, offering the perfect spot to raise a glass of Provence Rosé as you watch the skaters. For those in search of the best in festive feasting, the cosy West Wing restaurant, Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia, will be bringing the tastes of the Swiss mountains to Skate, in partnership with Switzerland Tourism. Inspired by dishes from across the Swiss Alps, the decorative chalet-themed restaurant invites visitors to indulge in a seasonal menu of winter favourites.
For those in search of a gift, or a treat for themselves, Shelter Boutique brought to you by HSBC UK, will be hosting a pop-up store on-site from 15 November – 23 December. Visitors can browse a handpicked selection of pre-loved vintage, designer, and quality high-street clothing all at a fraction of the original price, with all proceeds from sales donated to Shelter charity.
American Express partners with Skate for its third year as its Preferred Payment Partner. In addition, American Express ® Cardmembers get early ticket access on 27 September and can enjoy exclusive benefits during the Skate season.
This season, for those who want to make a fabulous night of it, Somerset House has once again teamed up with Covent Garden’s luxury hotel One Aldwych to offer an exclusive Skate experience which includes tickets to Skate, overnight accommodation and a delicious breakfast the following morning. The Skate experience will be available to book from Friday 29 September. For more information and to make a reservation visit: www.onealdwych.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT SOMERSET HOUSE
Step Inside, Think Outside
As the home of cultural innovators, Somerset House is a site of origination, with a cultural programme offering alternative perspectives on the biggest issues of our time. We are a place of joy and discovery, where everyone is invited to Step Inside and Think Outside.
From our historic site in the heart of London, we work globally across art, creativity, business, and non-profit, nurturing new talent, methods and technologies. Our resident community of creative enterprises, arts organisations, artists and makers, makes us a centre of ideas, with most of our programme home-grown.
We sit at the meeting point of artistic and social innovation, bringing worlds and minds together to create surprising and often magical results. Our spirit of constant curiosity and counter perspective is integral to our history and key to our future.
ABOUT SWITZERLAND TOURISM
Any country, however beautiful, needs to be marketed. That’s why Switzerland Tourism’s main function is the promotion of Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination. Founded in 1917, Switzerland Tourism is the country’s official national tourist office.
Switzerland Tourism specialises in the implementation of demand-stimulating and creative marketing and PR campaigns across a wide range of channels and platforms. In its partnership with Skate at Somerset House and particularly through the charming Chalet Suisse, Switzerland Tourism aims to present visitors with a snapshot of the authentic Swiss winter dining experience, not least in our partner regions of Bern, Lucerne and Valais.
Based in Zurich, Switzerland Tourism is present in 22 markets worldwide, employing around 240 people. Its office for the UK & Ireland is located in Holborn, London. Please visit MySwitzerland.com to discover more about winter in Switzerland.
Please visit MySwitzerland.com to discover more about winter in Switzerland and connect with us on @MySwitzerland and Facebook
ABOUT CHÂTEAU D’ESCLANS, HOME OF WHISPERING ANGEL AND ROCK ANGEL
Château d’Esclans is situated in the heart of Provence, northeast of St. Tropez overlooking the Esclans Valley with the Mediterranean coast in the faint distance. The vision of Founder Sacha Lichine, following his acquisition of the Château in 2006, was to create the greatest rosés in the world igniting the “Rosé Renaissance”. This led to conceiving and crafting a world class rosé portfolio including The Pale, Whispering Angel, Rock Angel, Château d’Esclans, Les Clans, and Garrus: a new generation of rosés characterised by elegance, depth, richness and complexity.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS® EXPERIENCES
Through Amex Experiences, Cardmembers have access to presale tickets, as well as the best seats and exclusive offers at some of the UK’s most sought-after entertainment events via partnerships with a range of institutions, including AELTC, AEG, Somerset House, The British Film Institute and the National Theatre. Amex Experiences is just one example of the powerful backing that American Express provides its Cardmembers.
ABOUT HSBC UK
HSBC UK serves over 14.75 million customers across the UK, supported by 24,000 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring fenced bank and wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,041bn at 30 June 2023, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.