You don’t have to be locked up in your room staring at a blank page, trying to work on your essays, projects, or your up-and-coming "I make a statement in whatever I wear" themed Wordpress blog. Inspiration, like many other things in life, does not come to those who wait — or to those clicking 'Next Episode' while lying in bed. Believe me, I've tried. I've always found it way easier to study when I'm somewhere that I feel good; somewhere that gets my muses twerking and smells like coffee and cookies.
So... I've made a list of the "most inspiring places to study in London" which will make working the entire weekend much more enjoyable; if you’re going to spend your Sunday researching, you might as well do it with a view of the London sky in golden hour or while having the best cream cheese and salmon bagel in the city.
1. Waterstones, Piccadilly
Being the biggest bookstore in Europe, this is the go-to happy place for bookworms. You can sit at Cafe W for hours without being disturbed, read, and type away to that background café noise. It's easy to find a spot; opt to sit by the quieter magazine section with a nice English Breakfast tea and a scone. You can also get your snacks from Whole Foods which is a 2-minute walk away. It can be a bit cold if the entrance door downstairs is open so make sure to bring a scarf/cardigan/blanket/whatever works for you. Their long Sunday hours makes it the perfect place to spend an entire day there, with possibly rewarding yourself later at the 5th-floor bar or by going to the nearest shop on the street. #youearnedit
Hours:
Mon to Sat: 9am-10pm
Sun: 12pm-6:30 pm
2. The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn + Shoreditch
Whether you pick the more hipster Shoreditch or the more city Holborn branch, the hotel hours give you the best late-night study sessions...plus the decor and the friendly buzz of working London people tick the inspiring box twice. Grab your "workforce" of friends and go for an early breakfast to find spots as this is a popular place. Treat yourself to a cream cheese and salmon bagel and their 'Glow' juice with collagen in it — which I know sounds repelling, but it was pink if that makes anything better. Spend the rest of your day cozying up on a leather sofa and hopefully finishing all your coursework in time to have some vino and do some people-watching with your pals.
Mon to Fri: 7am-2 am
Sat: 8am-2am
Sun: 8am-12pm
3. National Art Library, V&A Museum, Knightsbridge
The setting certainly takes you to a more magical and classical place where it is almost harder not to get inspired or to feel in that "work mode." It’s perfect to spend a Friday or Saturday when they’re open for longer and you can see an exhibition with friends afterward for some further inspiration. Have soy lattes with a yummy limoncello ricotta cake at the Garden Café, or try their gluten-free and vegan salads if you’re on a health streak. However, be prepared before you enter the timeless zone because bags are not permitted, you’ll have to leave them in the Cloakroom and you can take your laptops and cameras in clear bags. You also need to bring a current ID and proof of address so you can join for free but don’t be discouraged as this is really quick and can be done on your first visit in person.
Sun-Mon: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 10am-5:30pm
Fri: 10am-6:30pm
Sat : 10am-5:30pm
4. Sky Pod Bar, Sky Garden, Fenchurch
When you’re in need of going that extra mile for inspiration, Sky Garden is one of the most beautiful places to be in London. It’s quite romantic in the sunset hours as well, so you might want to arrange a study-date there if you’ve been neglecting your girlfriend/boyfriend/overly-attached-best friend due to workload. Sky Pod Bar is the perfect early-morning start to your weekend with fresh artisan goods and fruits as well as that energizing natural light. Even though they have walk-in times, I recommend a quick online booking as it might not be easy to find places for breakfast/lunch in the Sky Pod Bar. Definitely, wear warm clothing as this is a ‘naturally-ventilated’ aka London-weather-inside-and-out place. The view is unforgettable and it is totally worth the 30 seconds you spend booking and the extra layer of that unflattering-but-warm piece of clothing we all own.
Mon-Wed: 7am-12am
Thurs-Fri: 7am-2am
Sat: 8am-2am
Sun: 9am-12am
5. Upstairs at the Ritzy, Brixton
This beloved-by-locals cultural hub in South London is the ultimate studying spot to chill with a tea and gaze over to the sunset from its terrace during those work breaks. Refreshing daylight, the local crowd, the casually placed plants, and that wide postcard-London view makes it one of the most comfortable inspo places. The daytime’s relaxing atmosphere might be replaced at night by a live-jam on the small stage or with a film at the Ritzy Cinema. PS: If you're in search of an adventurous drink, try their Tokio Spritz after a long day of typing.
Mon-Thur: 12am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 12am-1am (Changeable depending on event)
Sun: 12am-11am
6. Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, Hyde Park
If you’re the nature-inspired type or if you simply need to stop spiraling down with anxiety, enjoy the calm and greenery right by the Serpentine Lake. You know your work (or more importantly, you) will be absolute trash if you’re stressed the f**k out. Take a walk, breathe in something fresher than bus exhaust, and treat yourself to wood-fired oven pizzas and seasonal salads on a lazy Sunday afternoon. This place is also great for those dreadful "group projects"; you’ll most likely be more tolerating to your always-late or forever-bossy group members when you’re stuffing a homemade slice of pizza with Italian tomatoes down your throat.
Mon-Sun: 8am-5pm
7. British Library, King’s Cross
This is a London classic you have to experience, trust me. The Brutalist architecture alone will make you feel motivated to conquer whatever essay is in your way. If you’re looking for that old-school British vibe or the kind of library experience you thought was only possible in Hogwarts, this is the place to be. Jokes aside, the amount of information, culture, and inspiration present in this place all available to you is a gift you shouldn’t take for granted. This place is an intellectual haven and all you need to do to access all this knowledge is to get a free Reader Pass, presenting proof of ID and address. Plus, don’t forget to try one of the espresso-based drinks from the Origin Coffee bar at the Entrance Hall, which was featured on London’s Best Coffee.
Mon-Thurs: 9:30am-8pm
Fri: 9:30am-6pm
Sat: 9:30am-5pm
Sun: 11 am-5 pm
8. Coffeeworks, Blackfriars + Angel + Leadenhall
If you cannot stand to spend another weekday after uni trying to write an essay in Starbucks, try any branch of this local, "independent, family-run specialty coffee house." With their support of small independent artisan type producers, you can unquestionably taste the quality of their divine lattes, fresh vegan pastries, and my god those cheese-melt burgers and toasties. They aim for a friendly and relaxed environment, and they certainly achieve it. The one in Blackfriars Road with full glass walls (natural light! Do you sense a pattern here?) is my favorite coffee shop to unwind and do work while devouring yet another espresso.
Mon-Thurs: 7am-5:30pm
Fri: 7am-5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
Working through those deadlines doesn't necessarily have to be the most depressing time of the year. Pack your laptop, those lemon-yellow sticky notes and try one of these "most inspiring places to study in London" to get back in the groove. A change of scenery and a good cup of coffee can make the biggest difference sometimes. You will be doing yourself, your grades, and possibly everyone who has to put up with you during your finals a huge favor.