With home working, flexible hours and freelance jobs becoming increasingly popular, the traditional office culture is being abandoned in favour of co-working spaces. Whether you work alone and are hoping to meet like-minded professionals, or are in need of the occasional break from your home office, a co-working space could be the ideal solution.
What are co-working 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 co-working spaces in London
If you’re considering trying out a co-working space 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.
Unit G, Waterloo Station, 01 The Sidings, London SE1 7BH
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 co-working spaces? Make the most of their Daily Hot Desk and Wing offer while you’re there, where you can enjoy unlimited hot drinks, a pint of your choice and a small side for a total of £17.
WeWork has multiple locations in London and worldwide, offering a range of options to suit every business and individual. 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.
Price range: £
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.
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. Opt for a day pass if you occasionally need a change of scene, or pay monthly for a roaming membership. This enables you to access a desk, booth or sofa to work from, plus plenty of communal areas and amenities including the onsite gym, café and outdoor space.
Price range: £
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.
This co-working space in Dalston is the perfect place for those working in the creative industries to meet like-minded people. 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.
Price range: £
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.
Huckletree is a co-working 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.
Price range: ££
How to get there: At London Waterloo, take the Bakerloo line northbound to Piccadilly Circus, then walk five minutes to Huckletree Soho.
The best free co-working 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 these free locations in London first?
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.
Opening times: The Reading Rooms are open from 9:30 – 20:00 Monday to Thursday and 9:30 – 18:00 on Fridays. You can also visit at weekends.
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. 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.
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.
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 Friday 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.
The best cafes to work at in London
Prefer a busier environment to work in? These are the best cafés 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.
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. Make the most of our exclusive SWR rewards discount at Mare Street Market to get 20% off your bill.
Price range: ££
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.
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: ££
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.
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.
Price range: ££
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.
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: £
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.
