Somerset House was built as a school in the Colonial style in 1905 in Paulet Street which was the first street to be built in Somerset East in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Many of Paulet Street's original houses survive and are to-day National Monuments, conveying a good idea of what the village would have looked like almost two centuries ago. Somerset House to-day is a guest house, both spacious and elegant. Those who enjoy gracious living, silver service breakfasts and the like will appreciate staying here.