Yes We Have Wi-Fi: Everything You Need To Know About Co-Working In London

Cosmopolitan, entrepreneurial, artistic. History. Theatre. Museums. Galleries. Parks. Markets. And of course, strong Wi-Fi. London is the city that has a little bit of everything, in terms of sights, scenery, and culture.

And, as you might expect, the people (both residents and tourists) are diverse, too. That means office workers and remote workers can walk and even work alongside each other.

If you’re a location independent professional looking to network and share creative ideas, London is a hotspot for co-workers. The city attracts the self-employed, small-business owners, entrepreneurs and freelancers alike who seek opportunities to share ideas and develop their skills.

Pack your plugs, power up your laptop and make yourself at home – here is your guide to the co-working scene in the English capital.

Where to sleep

Be savvy when it comes to booking yourself a base. The Park Grand Paddington Court London is located centrally enough to dip into London’s bustling centre for work and play, but the hotel itself is tucked away in a quiet street behind Lancaster Gate so you can get a decent night’s sleep.

If you book multiple nights directly, you will receive a cheerful discount with our ongoing special offers. All communal areas and bedrooms are equipped with reliable Wi-Fi, which means you can work from your hotel at any time of day.

Where to co-work

Now then, down to business – exactly where can you co-work in London? You could, of course, use your accommodation as a starting point. The Grand Restaurant is a stylish setting and the ideal place for a meeting over breakfast.

Co-working culture has flourished in London and you can find co-working spaces across all of the city’s boroughs where you can rent a desk or an office. Whilst some venues offer hot desks on daily a basis, you will find weekly and monthly rates are more common. Some offer free trials, or at least visits. Rentadesk (Tottenham Court Road) let you schedule a free trial day at a time that suits you.

WeWork Eastbourne Terrace ticks all the boxes; besides the essentials of Wi-Fi coffee, they host regular social events and wellness room among other perks. It’s walkable from the Park Grand Paddington Court London.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to the cost of a co-working space, London has a coffee shop every 50 metres, so choose a new one every day and make that your office – they don’t say work hard anywhere for nothing!

The British Library is an excellent (and free) place to work from, too if you’d prefer to sightsee and work at the same time.

Where to wander

With sightseeing in mind, be sure to close your laptop and explore the city between your co-working sessions. If you’re staying for a while, you might want to explore some of London’s non-tourist attractions to feel like a true local.

For starters, visit Dalston. If Shoreditch was the new Camden, Dalston is the new Shoreditch. Kick back in a deckchair on a roof terrace. Cast your diet aside and get a taste of all the vibrant food on offer. Kit yourself out in vintage clothes from Beyond Retro and peruse jazz and hip-hop records at second-hand stores. Finally, stay after-hours to experience Dalston’s nightlife (and make sure you get full English breakfast the following day…you’ll need it).

We love the indulgence of the London West End, but if you want an off-the-wall night at the theatre check out more intimate venues like the Arts Theatre (Covent Garden), Southwark Playhouse and Theatre Royal Stratford East show for musicals and dramas that will give you something to ponder.

Everyone wants to experience the thrill of looking down at London from 160 metres above the streets. Avoid the crowded skyscraper attractions and visit the lofty Sky Garden, atop the Walkie Talkie tower. It’s free to visit, but you must book in advance. Take your notebook, as you wander through the botanical garden who knows when an idea might strike you.

Of course, you might still want to tick off some of the classic London sights, and we can’t say we blame you!

Co-commute like a Londoner

London is one of the most walkable cities in the world. Take a break from your screen, and use the time to take a leisurely walk and see what, and who, you chance upon. Use the time to clear your head or listen to a motivational podcast.

Of course, if you’re in a hurry, as Londoners are so famous for, the tube will get you from A to B in a fraction of the time.

Find your co-worker tribe

We all know that one of the key factors of a positive working environment is the people. So, who will you be working alongside? The co-workers of London are as diverse as the sights, meaning you might have a financial entrepreneur to your left, a freelance designer to your right, and share some banter with a life coach at the coffee machine. We can’t promise that you’ll see Alan Sugar, but you will make some worthy connections.

London attracts visitors and co-workers from all over the world, so you might meet people from countries you’ve never even heard of!

Maintain your work-life balance

Maintaining your active lifestyle is vital for healthy co-workers. Fortunately, the Park Grand Paddington Court London has a fully equipped gymnasium and is a five-minute walk to Kensington Palace Gardens and Hyde Park where you can go for a run or take a dip in the Serpentine to kickstart those creative juices.

Clock off like a Londoner

Switch off, grab a co-work buddy or two and let your hair down, as we say.

Treat yourself in London to some quintessentially British treats, and enjoy afternoon tea near Paddington at one of the sister hotels of the Park Grand Paddington Court London. The Park Grand Lancaster Gate is just next door, and they offer a collection of afternoon tea menus which include an Indian inspired menu.

Don’t forget the other great London tradition, and be sure to go to a local pub with your fellow co-workers once you’ve wrapped up your to-do list for the day. Cheers to that!

Where are you going to co-work during your stay in London? Leave us a comment!