The Best Places to Study in London
The Best Places to Study in London
The best thing to do when it comes to studying is to separate your home life from your studying as much as possible. That way, you can have a clear distinction between the place you work and the place you go to relax.
University campuses and buildings always have plenty of study spaces, but with so many students, these can often be overpopulated. Plus, when you have the unique experience of living in London, finding some interesting places to study can be a great opportunity to combine your work with exploring the city.
Here are our picks for the best places to study in London.
The British Library
Nearest station – King’s Cross
The British Library is an iconic building that you should visit at some point during your time in London, even if you don’t go there to study. Having said that, it’s also one of the best places to study in London!
The British Library’s reading rooms are free to access if you just want to use the space to study. If you do want to access the unparalleled collections of reading and research materials, all you need to do is get a Reader Pass and accept the Library’s terms of use first.
The British Library’s reading rooms are open from Monday to Saturday, and Wi-Fi is available in all of the rooms.
Foyles Bookshop
Nearest station – Tottenham Court Road
The Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road is another British institution that is worth a visit on its own merit, but it’s a perfect study space too. Foyles boasts the UK’s largest range of books in 50 departments over 5 floors, so you’re sure to find reading material related to your subject and it’s hard not to be inspired by the selection.
The café at Foyles has free Wi-Fi, as well as drinks and pastries, and is a perfect alternative spot to get some work done. Founded in 1903, Foyles has become one of the best places to study in London and the staff are very knowledgeable if you need help finding a new text for your work.
Related article: Effective Study Tips for Students
The Wellcome Collection
Nearest station – Euston
The Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that houses some of the most interesting exhibitions, collections and installations in London. It encourages visitors to think about the connections between science, medicine, life and art.
Whatever subject you’re studying, taking a break to browse the exhibits at the Wellcome Collection is sure to be an inspiring and thought-provoking experience. When you’re ready to hit the books again, the library can provide you with a place to study or read quietly, and the museum’s reading room provides a more relaxed environment where you can discuss ideas with your friends while reclining on sofas and beanbags.
Hyde Park
Nearest stations – Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge
If the weather is nice or you just fancy some fresh air, why not consider switching it up and taking your studies outside? Hyde Park is a beautiful, spacious park where you can sit and study whilst enjoying some great scenery. The park has various refreshment points where you can pick up a cup of coffee and a snack, as well as places to sit and eat, such as the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen and the Lido Café and Bar.
The park is also famous for being the site of marches and rallies, and the Speaker’s Corner is a place where you can go and listen to people from all walks of life share their views and concerns. The park covers a massive 350 acres of land, however, so if this isn’t your scene, there is plenty of space to find some peace, including the Rose Garden and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.
Kensington Gardens
Nearest stations – Lancaster Gate & Queensway, Bayswater, High Street Kensington
Kensington Gardens is another of London’s Royal Parks and is one of the best outdoor places to study in London. Like Hyde Park, there is plenty of green space to settle down for the day with your books, but the gardens also have a number of great sights to see in-between study sessions to get inspired or to wind down.
The Italian Gardens and Kensington Palace are worth a look around, and there are a number of memorials, fountains and statues to check out too. When you’re ready for some refreshment, there a number of restaurants and cafés, as well as ice cream vans where you can get a pick-me-up.
Paddington Library
Nearest station – Royal Oak
Paddington Library is a great, quiet place to go and work, with a cosy study space and free Wi-Fi. Paddington Library is much smaller than the British Library but, if you are looking to escape the crowds and study somewhere that feels a little more personal, this could be one of the best places to study in London.
If you need books from another of the Westminster libraries, the staff will be able to arrange this for you, and there are even job seeker drop-in sessions if you want to start thinking about your life post-studying.
Urban Baristas
Nearest Station – Bayswater
Urban Baristas is a great place to go and study if you want a more relaxed vibe. Urban Baristas is a trendy café where you can get your head down and work while not feeling as stifled as you sometimes can in a library.
As well as serving great coffee and food, there is a shared basement workspace where you’ll be working alongside other students and budding entrepreneurs. This is a great place to study if you don’t like your working sessions to feel too stuffy.
Hopefully this blog has given you some good ideas of where to take your next study session if you don’t want to be stuck at home or competing for space on campus. It’s always best to make dividing lines and assign specific places for work and relaxation so that you get the most out of each.
Are you currently studying or looking to study in London? We have a fantastic range of options for student flats in London, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like to make an enquiry.