With home working, flexible hours and freelance jobs becoming increasingly popular, the traditional office culture is being abandoned in favour of coworking spaces. Whether you work alone and are hoping to meet likeminded professionals, or simply need the occasional break from your home office, a coworking space could be the ideal solution, especially with so many coworking spaces in London to choose from, along with the option of a free coworking space or even the laptop friendly cafes in London workers rely on for a relaxed and productive atmosphere.
What are coworking spaces?
Co-working spaces take many forms, from traditional office spaces where you can hire a desk for a day (known as hot desking) to members-only clubs and contemporary workspaces that include a coffee shop, gym, or other amenities.
The best coworking spaces in London
If you’re considering trying out a coworking spaces in London, these are some of the best spots in the capital. From monthly subscriptions to pay-as-you-go hot desking, you can find the perfect location to suit your working requirements.
1. BrewDog, Waterloo
Delicious food, ice cold drinks and an office location directly in London Waterloo? It doesn’t get much better than BrewDog. You’ve probably heard of them as a bar chain, but did you know BrewDog also offer coworking spaces with dedicated hotdesking areas and fast WiFi? Their Daily Hotdesk offer is £25 including a breakfast roll, unlimited hot drinks and a pint of their Headliner beer, and you can still mix things up with free DeskDog On Tap access, letting you grab a table and use the Wi‑Fi with no booking fee.
WeWork has multiple locations in London and worldwide, offering a range of options to suit every business and individual, making it one of the most recognisable choices for coworking spaces in London. You’re bound to find the right workspace here, with private office spaces, pay-per-day hot desks and bookable meeting rooms available. Many of their locations – feature bike storage, are dog-friendly and have an onsite barista to grab a coffee from.
How to get there: York Road’s WeWork is a three-minute stroll from London Waterloo. Alternatively, the Stamford Street location is nine minutes away on foot.
3. LABS, Holborn
Combining communal spaces with private offices and meeting rooms, LABS is the ideal place for interior design lovers who want a laid-back environment to work in. Choose a day pass if you occasionally need a change of scene, or pay monthly for a roaming membership that lets you move freely between multiple LABS buildings and enjoy added perks like onsite gyms, cosy lounges, outdoor spaces and regular community events that make the workday feel more inspiring and flexible.
How to get there: Take the Northern line northbound from London Waterloo to Tottenham Court Road, then change for the eastbound Central line to Holborn. LABS is conveniently located just around the corner from the tube station.
4. De Beauvoir Block, Dalston
This co-working space in Dalston is the perfect place for those working in the creative industries to meet like-minded people, and it continues to stand out as one of the best coworking spaces in London thanks to its bright studios, creative community and beautifully designed shared areas. De Beauvoir Block boasts a private outdoor terrace where you can take a break from work, common areas to host meetings or socialise, and an all-day café for your morning coffee or lunch. Choose from various memberships to suit your needs, including day passes, monthly subscriptions, bookable meeting rooms and private workspaces for companies.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the Jubilee line eastbound to Canada Water, then change for the Overground to Haggerston. De Beauvoir Block is an eight-minute walk away.
5. Spacemade by The Landing, Putney
Spacemade’s hot desking makes coworking easy with flexible weekday access and sameday bookings in a warm community, so coworking spaces in London feel productive and welcoming, and if you only need a desk now and then you can grab a day pass and drop in when inspiration hits. Unique to Spacemade, you get a designled network across multiple London locations with a hospitality feel, regular member events, and optional perks like guest passes and address registration so you can tailor how and when you work.
Location: 131-133 Upper Richmond Rd, London SW15 2SH
Price range: from £35 per day
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take a South Western Railway train to Putney, then it is a 4 minutes walk to The Landing.
6. Huckletree, Soho
Huckletree is a coworking space and vibrant community with multiple locations across London and the UK. With plenty of different memberships to choose from, offering access to desks, breakout zones, meeting spaces and more, there’s a plan to suit everyone. Huckletree members can also attend workshops, masterclasses and educational courses to help grow their business and progress personally or professionally.
Location: Ingestre Place, London W1F 0JL
Price range: from £25 per day
How to get there: At London Waterloo, take the Bakerloo line northbound to Piccadilly Circus, then walk five minutes to Huckletree Soho. If you’re travelling in for a flexible workday, SWR’s OffPeak ticket options are ideal for saving money on midday journeys, and you can browse SWR Rewards for perks and discounts nearby.
The best free coworking spaces in London
If you want to dip your toe into co-working without committing to a membership at a particular space, why not try a free coworking space in London that gives you an easy, no commitment place to get some work done?
1. The British Library
The Reading Rooms at the British Library are the perfect quiet space to work or study, and they’re free to visit! All you need is a British Library Reader Pass, which also gives you access to their vast collection of books, manuscripts, journals, newspapers, digital material and more.
Website: bl.uk
Location: 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Opening times: The Reading Rooms are open from 10:00 – 20:00 Monday to Thursday and 9:30 – 17:00 Friday to Saturday.
How to get there: Take the Northern line northbound to Euston from London Waterloo, then walk eight minutes to the British Library.
The famous arts centre also has an impressive library and study space, making it an inspiring place to work when you need to get out of the house, and it’s often considered one of the best free coworking spaces in London, offering dedicated seating, free WiFi and calm study areas that make it easy to settle into focused work. Take a break from work to visit the onsite café, then why not catch a film, show or exhibition once you’ve finished for the day? Craving some fresh air? The building is also home to an indoor tropical oasis featuring a range of beautiful plants. As London’s second largest conservatory, it’s not to be missed.
Location: Silk Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS
Opening times: Barbican Library is open from 9:30 – 17:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:30 –19:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ideal for those working flexible hours.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the Jubilee line eastbound to London Bridge, then change for the northbound Northern line to Moorgate. The Barbican Centre is a six-minute walk away. For smooth travel, you can plan your journey, check train times, or save with SWR Railcard.
3. The National Poetry Library at Southbank Centre
Another of London’s hidden gems, the National Poetry Library is located on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre and is free to join. Boasting the world’s largest public collection of contemporary poetry, this is an excellent place to work or study while getting inspired. Southbank Centre also has an outstanding events programme, including theatre, guest speakers and art exhibitions, making it one of the top locations to enjoy unique post-work activities near London Waterloo.
Opening times: The National Poetry Library is closed on Mondays but opens Tuesdays from 12:00 – 18:00 and Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 – 20:00. They are also open at weekends if you need to catch up on work.
How to get there: Southbank Centre is conveniently located just five minutes’ walk from London Waterloo.
Laptop Friendly Cafes in London
Prefer a busier environment to work in? These are the best laptop friendly cafes in London to work from, where you’ll have access to everything you need throughout the working day, from coffee and pastries to delicious lunches that beat any supermarket meal deal.
1. Mare Street Market, Hackney
Mare Street Market is the perfect spot to work for a few hours or an entire day. Whether you’re working solo or with colleagues, the long, sharing tables are the ideal informal workspace. Plus, there’s plenty of food and drink on offer here, from coffee to breakfast dishes, small plates, and sourdough pizzas. Don’t forget to check SWR Food and Drink Rewards to find out if you can save on your next food and drink outing.
Price range: Coffee from £3.20 and brunch dishes £9-£16
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the Jubilee line eastbound to London Bridge, then take the number 388 bus to King Edward’s Road, which stops right outside Mare Street Market.
2. Ozone Coffee, Shoreditch
Not only is this roastery and café in Shoreditch one of the best coffee shops in London, but it’s also a great place to work from. Offering speciality coffee, tea and soft drinks alongside plenty of enticing breakfast and lunch dishes, you could easily spend a few hours working, eating and drinking here! Ozone Coffee also has a bookable meeting room, available Monday to Friday on an hourly, half or full-day basis.
Price range: Coffee from £3.30 and brunch/lunch dishes from £10-£16
How to get there: Take the Jubilee line eastbound to London Bridge from London Waterloo, then change for the northbound Northern line to Old Street. Ozone Coffee is a three-minute walk away.
3. The Wren Coffee, Mansion House
The Wren Coffee is the café inside St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, making it one of the most beautiful places to spend a working day. Serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes and a small selection of freshly-prepared breakfast and lunch dishes, this laptop-friendly café is a calming oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Location:114 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4BJ
Price range: Coffee from £3-4£, you can get £0.20 off if you bring in a reusable cup!
How to get there: On weekdays, take the Waterloo & City line from London Waterloo to Bank, then walk seven minutes to The Wren Coffee. Alternatively, it’s a 26-minute walk from the train station to the café. You also can check live train times before you set off to plan your trip smoothly.
4. Shaman, Bermondsey
The stunning interiors at Shaman in Bermondsey will be enough to entice you to spend a whole day at this coffee shop and co-working space. Their menu focusses on wellness, so expect lots of fresh juices, salads and sandwiches alongside typical cafe fare like coffee, tea, cakes and pastries. If you love the vibe here, why not check out their other locations across London when you fancy working from a different area?
Price range: Coffee is starting around £2.40-£3.30, fresh juices £4-£7.
How to get there: At London Waterloo, take the Jubilee line eastbound to London Bridge, then walk 15 minutes to Shaman. Or take the number 188 bus from the train station to Abbey Street stop, right outside the coffee shop.
Plan your visit to the best coworking spaces in London with SWR
Plan your next flexible workday or team meet-up with ease using South Western Railway. Whether you're heading into the city to try one of the best coworking spaces in London or simply looking for a laptop-friendly café to work from, travelling by train makes the journey simple and convenient. Alongside our Business Direct platform, which is free to sign up for, we offer a range of cheap train tickets for every journey. Advance tickets are one of the best options, while Semi-Flex Return Tickets give you extra flexibility if a meeting runs over or plans change.
If you’re travelling for work frequently, consider purchasing a Season Ticket to save on your commute. And don’t forget to check your eligibility for a Railcard to get an even better discount on bleisure train travel!
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