Best cafes for working in London

Remote working has numerous benefits - for employees and their employers. Whether you're looking at lower overhead costs or increased flexibility for workers, it's predicted that 50% of the workforce will be working remotely by 2020. Plus, researchers have found that remote workers are more engaged and enjoy their jobs more, often leading to greater performance and productivity. Of course, you can always work from home, but as any remote worker will tell you, a change of environment is key to keeping those creative juices flowing (and ensuring you don't get bogged down doing laundry instead of blitzing your inbox).

As part of our work revolution, amazing coworking spaces have emerged, as well as new options for those with childcare (even at your weekend brunch, thanks to The Kids' Table). Many of these coworking spaces, like Second Home London Fields, allow non-members into their glorious interiors: the ground-floor cafe has free WiFi, good coffee and the same colour pop and biophilia that characterises the space and helps encourage creativity. The British Library is open to everyone and has connected work stations with power sockets, not to mention you'll be enjoying the grandeur of a Grade 1-listed building.

London's theatres are also under-the-radar remote-working hotspots: our favourites are The Royal Court in Sloane Square and The Young Vic's Cut Bar, with its huge windows, outdoor options and large tables - ideal for meetings.

If you can only manage your work with a double espresso by your side, then these cafes will most definitely do the trick...

The coworking option: The Work Room, located at Bluebird Chelsea & White City, Fiume, Radici & 100 Wardour St

The Work Room app launched this summer as a solution to the UK's 5 million plus remote workers looking for gorgeous, quiet interiors, good WiFi access and plugs. Located at five stylish spots around London, The Work Room is somewhere between a coworking space, members' club and restaurant: for a tenner a day, expect unlimited coffee, uninterrupted WiFi access, cosy seating and a space to call your own, whether you're presenting to a client or interviewing for a new colleague (two guests can join you for the day). If you sign up to the newsletter, you can get a free trial code to test it out for yourself.




The chic hotel option: Hubbard & Bell, located at The Hoxton, Holborn

Freelancers love Hubbard & Bell in the lobby of Holborn's Hoxton Hotel, which teams comfy seating with great coffee, free WiFi and power points for the most stylish workspace you'll find. Plus, it's open until 2am to make those all-nighters more glamorous. We also like that you can refuel with tasty British classics like a bacon butty, and that people-watching those passing through the hotel lobby can help ease any moments of distraction - and perhaps even provide a stroke of inspiration.




The local favourite: Swallow Coffee Shop, W12

Strong WiFi signal throughout, a spacious interior set across three levels, and enough Ozone coffee to power you through any work crisis, Swallow Coffee Shop is a welcome work oasis, with the added bonus of quiet space, complete with book library, downstairs.




The Antipodean gem: Scarlett Green, Soho

This all-day cafe has it all and then some: inspiring wall art, a food menu that will get you through every meal and stylish interiors inviting enough for a client-facing morning brunch or evening drink. Also, for any freelancer who's having one of those days, or weeks, we can't think of a better recipe for cheering up than Scarlett Green's Unicorn Waffles. If you're not in Soho, there are sister locations scattered throughout the city, from Victoria to Broadgate.




The community spirit cafe: Rapha Clubhouse, Soho and Spitalfields

Rapha's clubhouse may bring together the city's cyclists and bike enthusiasts, but the retail-space-cum-cafe has also become a favourite for creatives looking for the best coffee on the block, and a buzzy atmosphere (not everyone wants a super-quiet workspace). It's open from 8am so there's no excuse not to start on time.