We all know that London life isn’t synonymous with solitude and silence, which makes finding a study sanctum feel impossible. We’re here to tell you to keep faith in the capital’s ability to provide, as you can find everything here if you look hard enough. To take the laptop-laden legwork out of London, here’s a few of our faves dotted about the capital.
Google Campus London
For us, Google is the best. After all, it’s been your study buddy for a long time, so why not trust it to be your study sanctuary too. Campus London offers strong coffee and strong community, so it’s the ideal spot for freelancers, entrepreneurs and students. It has a café serving drinks and food and free WiFi and you simply sign up to be a member (delightfully free). You can rent desks or conference rooms if there’s a whole group of you and if you’re a developer, Google provides devices in Android and iOS for testing apps. Campus London is a far cry from being stuck in Starbucks.
What’s great about Google Campus is that even when it’s busy, it feels more like an office than a noisome café. The atmosphere is animating rather than distracting, creating a place to work where everyone else encourages you. They also have talks and events on, so take a look at their calendar to find out more.
Find the Campus at 4-5 Bonhill Street, EC2A 4BX. Open Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30pm
Website: https://www.campus.co/london/en
Wellcome Library
This is the Wellcome Collection’s library, sat just opposite Euston Station. Turns out their innovation and introspection goes beyond their art gallery and into a library. Membership is free, but like most libraries you’ll need to get a card. It’s easy to do online and sets a level of immersion that discourages hustle and bustle.
There’s scanning, copying and professional photography services as well as the all-important computers, printers and free WiFi. Members can book rooms and there’s group study spaces too. Of course, there’s also the benefit of books – loads of them. If you’re researching a specific topic, the staff are on hand to help you find what sources you need. You’re also next to the Wellcome Collection, where you can take a break from stretching brains to stretching your legs.
Visit the Library at 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE. Open Mon-Sat from 10.00, closing times differ.
Website: http://wellcomelibrary.org/
Pancras Square Library
Just up the road from Wellcome is the Pancras Square Library. This bright space is brand spanking new and filled with books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs. There’s a café for all your caffeine and snack needs, as well as computers, tablets and free WiFi. It’s designed as a public space, so also has kid’s areas, classes, learning sessions, homework clubs and the Jobzone – a brilliant resource for anyone needing a hand in finding themselves a career. There are job searching materials, online research help, advisor visits and workshops. Clean, quiet and communal – perfect.
Delve in at 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG. Open everyday 8.00-8.00pm, Sunday’s 11.00-5.00pm.
Website: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/pancras-square-library
Bishopsgate Library
Bishopsgate is a bit more old-school, the proof of which is in the utterly beautiful building. It was built in 1895 by the same architect who did Whitechapel Gallery and the Horniman Museum – check out the art nouveau writing on the front. This is a place to read, research and write, with free WiFi to boot. You don’t need to make an appointment or bring any proof of ID, as it’s open to everyone. Bishopsgate Library is somewhere to sit amid the dark wood bookshelves and sink into blissful silence. The real risk here is being able to keep your eyes on your work and not wandering the glass dome above.
Get lost at 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4QH. Open Mon-Fri 10.00-5.30pm, closing 8.00pm Wednesdays.
Website: http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/Library
Waterstones Piccadilly
If you have a love of bookshops, then you’ll understand why this features on our list. Apart from having the most pun-filled Twitter account of any bookstore, Waterstones is always a calm and quiet refuge across the capital. Our favourite is Europe’s largest bookshop, outside the lights and loud noise of Piccadilly Circus. Waterstones Piccadilly
has a chilled out café, plenty of nooks to lose yourself in, and a great bar on the top floor where the price of the coffee is outweighed by the surroundings and view. It used to be one of Benedict Cumberbatch’s favourite reading spots, which is just about all the endorsement we need.
Go cumber up at 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9H. Open every day 9.00-10.00pm, Sunday 12.00-6.30pm.
Website: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/piccadilly
Foyles Bookshop Café
Another giant in books and a hidey-hole away from it all, Foyles Café in Charing Cross has to be on our list. The light, bright space is ideal area for getting your head down with a coffee in hand. They have spaces to rent if you need, as well as a presentation/lecture area (often used for literature events). You can’t help but get your head down when surrounded by book-themed decor, good food and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hang out at 107 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DT. Open every day 9.30-8.15pm, Sunday 12.00-5.15pm.
Website: http://www.foyles.co.uk/bookstore-charing-cross
Ace Hotel
It’s strange to see a hotel on the list, but Ace has a lobby ripe for buckling down in. The hotel has a proper social hub, divided into zones, inviting anyone to come and work or relax. Tuck yourself away or spread out over the communal work table. It’s modern, it’s bright, it’s cosy, there’s free WiFi, we love it. On top of that there’s a bar to keep you going and a gallery space. The real wonder is that they’re open 24 hours. Finally – 24 hours! If you’re a night owl whose best ideas come in the wee hours, then this truly is the ace up your sleeve.
Burn the midnight oil at 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ. Open always.
Website: http://www.acehotel.com/london
Timberyard and Fix
We could write a thesis on fabulous London cafes to work in. Most people have their locals and their favourites, based on tables, music, baristas and more. We’ve picked two of the main contenders for the workspace prize, Timberyard and Fix.
Timberyard, or TY, advertises itself as ‘tea, coffee, work and play re-imagined’ and that’s exactly what you get. These wonderful creative spaces have it all, with private rooms, events, art and food. Timberyard feels like your local, regardless of where you come from. You can tell they want you to stay for work and play, and there’s lots of both to be had. Fix feels like the flipside of TY. This study sanctum has done away with colour, instead decorating the space with muted chipboard tables and chairs under bright windows and open brickwork. There’s a real temptation to watch the world go by here, but the delicious coffee will keep you grounded and ready to tackle anything.
Get creative at Timberyard in 7 Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9DL and 4 Noel Street, W1F 8GB
Website: https://tyuk.com/
Get your Fix at 126 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PJ and 161 Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8JL
Website: http://www.fix-coffee.co.uk/
There are plenty more places we could feature, including BFI’s Reuben Library and the Barbican Library, not to mention numerous cafes. There’s Hanbury Hall Café, Riding House Café, Friends of Ours, Foxcroft and Ginger… the list goes on. All of them offer the sanctum sanctorum you’ve been looking for, so why not try them all to find your perfect study space.
The post Find Your London Study Sanctum appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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