Best Remote Working Locations In London
When I was employed full-time I loved my work-from-home days. I am naturally introverted and I enjoy having my own space and being able to control the background noise! So it came as a real surprise to me after a short time of being freelance that I was going a little bit crazy working from home all the time. Since then, if I’ve got a busy working week, I try to get out of the house to work somewhere else at least for a few hours.
This has turned into a bit of a side quest for me and I’m now actively looking out for new places to remote-work from in London. Hopefully over time this will become a definitive list of some of the best places (according to me, anyway) to work from in London when you get bored of working from home.
The Corner, Tate Modern - Southwark
This is my favourite place to do work from in London at the moment. I am a sucker for a walk along the Southbank so by the time I get to the Tate Modern’s new cafe, Corner, I’m already in a good mood. I try to get there at exactly 10am when they open so that I can bag my favourite table by the window and so that I’m at the front of the queue for their delicious food and drink. I’ll grab a coffee and sometimes something small for breakfast and then knuckle down to some work or meet a friend for a coworking date. Then after a few hours I’ll join the queue again for lunch!
The vibe in here is really chill, even when it gets busy, and the staff are friendly too. The food is absolutely delicious - you’ll be spoilt for choice and it’s all really fresh - but it is on the more expensive side as you’d probably expect from an art gallery. It’s a popular place for coworking but there are also plenty of people who are just visiting the gallery so I try to be sensible with the amount of space I take up. There are additional tables on the walkway in the Turbine Hall if you want somewhere to work but don’t feel like splurging on the food. While there are a few plug sockets they are a little sparse so if you’re laptop doesn’t have a great battery life you may want to arrive early to get yourself a good spot.
The cafe turns into a cocktail bar later in the day. I’m yet to try this out for myself but who would say no to a Negroni when the clock strikes 5?
Pros:
Food is delicious
Lots of space
You can take a break and go to look at some art
Nice atmosphere
Cons:
Gets quite busy at lunchtime
Food is expensive! I tend to go here as a treat
Doesn’t open until 10am so not great if you are an early-riser
Find out more on The Corner website.
Local libraries - various locations
London is full of libraries if you know where to look for them! Generally you can get a membership for the borough that you live in, meaning access to a range of different locations close to home. The layout and set up of the libraries does vary greatly so you may have to try a few before you find your favourite. I really like the library in Wimbledon and there is also a big one in Battersea just along the road from Clapham Junction station which I’ve been meaning to try.
Pros:
Grab some books for reference or take a reading break
You won’t feel obligated to buy anything or spend money while you’re there
Cons:
Depending on the library, you may need a membership for access at certain times
Some libraries don’t have designated quiet zones, so bear that in mind if you are trying to get some deep work done!
You can find out more about library services local to you on this website.
National Theatre - South Bank
Just along from Tate Modern is the National Theatre, another mecca for remote-workers in London. There are loads of tables to choose from and a cafe, but unlike other places you won’t feel that you have to buy something before sitting down. Depending on your style of working you can choose to sit at a larger table, which you’ll probably end up sharing if you’re on your own, or perch near a window. There are security checks on the way in so be prepared to have your bag searched (worth knowing if, like I did, you come straight from the gym with a bag full of sweaty clothes…).
Pros:
Good location
No pressure to buy food/ drink
Cons:
A bit dark inside
Not a great range of food at the cafe
Can get quite noisy depending on time of day
Find out more on the National Theatre website.
Check back for updates as I try more remote working locations in London! If you have any that you recommend, feel free to drop me an email or a message on Instagram: @ejs.marketing.
