Where are the best flexible co-working spaces across London?

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Work

Those couple of hours when you’ve checked out of your hotel and finished your first meeting, but you have 3 hours to fill before your next appointment or your pre-booked train home.

What do you do? Where do you go?

Almost everyone that has regularly travelled to London on business has faced that awkward ‘down time’ between meetings. Luckily, there are plenty of flexible co-working spaces now dotted across London that welcome business travellers at short notice. We’ve put together a list of some of our guests’ favourite co-working spaces in London.

Benk&Bo

Photo by Benk&Bo

4-6 Gravel Lane, London, E1 7AW

We’ve only heard good things about Benk&Bo, which is a social enterprise based in Spitalfields, close to the Aldgate and Aldgate East tube stations.

They have plenty of desk space and seating that is spread out over two floors, and they offer the use of their workspace for free. You don’t have to book, you’re just able to drop in as you please and enjoy their inclusive co-working environment.

If you need your caffeine fix or are feeling peckish, there is a kitchen open every Tuesday to Friday between 8am and 4pm

Work.Life

Photo by Work.life

Work.Life are a chain that have nine different co-working spaces spread across London:

  • Bermondsey
  • Camden
  • Farringdon
  • Fitzrovia
  • Hammersmith
  • Holborn
  • Liverpool Street
  • Old Street
  • Soho

You’re able to book ‘pay-as-you-go’ hot desks in any of the Work.Life spaces by the hour, with prices ranging from £5.50 to £6.50 per hour.

All spaces come with unlimited tea and coffee, and private phone booths for confidential calls.

If you want to host a meeting in any of the Work.Life spaces, it is also possible to book meeting rooms for an additional fee.

Uncommon

Photo by Uncommon

This is another chain of co-working spaces that has London locations in Holborn, Highbury, Borough, Fulham and Liverpool Street.

They don’t have the flexibility of hourly ‘hot desk’ passes, but offer affordable day passes starting from £40 per day. So, if you have more than a couple of hours to fill or want a remote location as your ‘base’ for the day, a pass at Uncommon might be a good choice.

One of the great things about Uncommon is that it suits all different kinds of working styles. If you’re looking to mix with creative freelancers and other small businesses, there are collaborative working spaces available to you. If you need to focus, there are dedicated quiet zones and private offices in each space.

All locations at Uncommon have super-fast wifi connections, and offer unlimited complimentary coffee

The British Library

Photo by The British Library

96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

If you know you’re likely to be in London on business regularly, it’s worth applying for a Reader Pass at the British Library. There’s a short form to complete online (it takes around 15 minutes) and you’ll need to bring two forms of identification with you on your first visit.

But once you have your Reader Pass, you can access the Reading Rooms in the library, which has free wi-fi and plenty of comfortable space for silent focused work. If research is part of your role, you also get access to the library’s full collection of books, journals and electronic resources.

The British Library is conveniently located close to King’s Cross St Pancras, making it an ideal place to get some work done if you have time to fill before your train home.  

Independent Coffee Shops and Boutique Hotels

If you just need to spend 20 minutes on your laptop to answer an urgent email or tidy up a presentation, you might not need a dedicated co-working space.

Many independent coffee shops and hotels across London are friendly and welcoming towards remote workers, and many locations have invested in additional charging points and fast wi-fi to help meet the needs of freelancers and businesspeople.

If you’re staying at The Belgrave and are looking for somewhere to work, please do speak to the team who will point you in the right direction.