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I’ve had the idea of writing about the best 24 hour places to study in London for quite some time.
Yet, I knew it would be a big post and wanted to wait until I could write the most comprehensive guide possible.
It’s not like telling you just about the best cafes to work in London, because well, quite any quiet space can become yours for a few hours.
It’s really about providing the best places open late to study, and I wanted to really take the time to gather all the study cafes, libraries, and study spaces I have come to know.
However, there are not a lot of 24 hour cafes in London – just FYI.
There are not a lot of 24 hour libraries open to the public in London either.
To visit them, you basically have to be a student at UCL, King’s College, or whatnot to be granted access or an alumnus at the very least.
So we’ll talk about just that, along with libraries and cafes open late where you can do your last-minute work or cram all day from the morn to well after dawn.
18 Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London & Cafes Open Late
Before we get started: there are actually very few libraries open 24 hours in London for the public, and even for students.
There are however quite a few cafes open late in London though, and for the sake of this guide and the sake of your time and energy, I’ve only listed study spaces and coffee shops open until 9 pm at the earliest.
If you’re looking for free study spaces, you should be able to find what you’re looking for, but there are also only a few open late at night.
If you’ve been here before, you know I love working and studying in chain coffee shops like Starbucks, Caffè Nero, and Pret, and I’ve listed a few of these in this guide.
But most of them close at 7.30 or 8 pm at the latest, so I’ve really tried to just list those that close at 9 pm, 10 pm, 11 pm, midnight, or a bit later.
In any case, you know what your needs are, and I’ll also tell you if those places have free WiFi and power outlets to the best of my knowledge!
Best 24 Hour Places To Study in London: Polo Bar
One of the best 24 hour places to study in London is the Polo Bar on Liverpool Street, located right across Liverpool Street Station and Eataly.
It’s also called the Great British Cafe, and it’s literally open 24/7 – so anyone looking for cafes to work in Liverpool Street, you know where to go.
You’ve got plenty to eat there, and you can’t miss it as you have plenty of cannoli, a delicious Italian pastry, in the window shop.
The coffee is really good, as are their pancakes, and it’s pretty safe to say that if you’re looking for a study cafe open 24 hours a day in London, that will be one of your best options.
Not only because it’s open all day every day, but because the kitchen literally never closes, and it’s also really central.
There’s free WiFi, but very few power outlets from what I’ve seen, so make sure you come with your laptop charged.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Oxford Street & Mayfair
Best 24 Hour Places To Study in London: Starbucks St Pancras
Then, another one of the only 24 hour places to study in London is this time located close to Tottenham Court Road and Euston Road, and it’s a Starbucks.
Since the British Library nearby closes at 8 pm a few days a week, the Starbucks coffee shop nearby is a good choice to keep working for a little bit.
This one is literally not the best 24 hour cafe to study in London, but it’s still there, still open, and provides a safe space to study, work, and write in your notebooks.
Be aware there are no power outlets at Starbucks inside of St Pancras station, and it’s not the warmest place to work – I’d rather go to Polo Bar, even if there is free WiFi in this Starbucks.
Read: The Best Coffee Scented Candles
Best 24 Hour Places To Study in London: VQ Restaurant
VQ Restaurant (Vingt-Quatre) is a chain of restaurants that owns several branches in Bloomsbury, close to Tottenham Court Road, as well as Aldgate and Chelsea.
If you’re after a 24 hour cafe in London to work, it’s not exactly a coffee shop, but it does the trick.
From what I know, there are quite a few good study cafes in East London and Chelsea.
However, they tend to close quite early or turn into party places – not the best to be productive with work.
VQ in Bloomsbury is another one of the only 24 hour places to study in London, and it’s a restaurant much more than a coffee shop.
Still possible to work, and you’ll probably find other people on their laptops when you visit, as VQ is a laptop-friendly place.
Read: The Best Candle Shops in London
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Costa Coffee King’s Cross
Update: This coffee shop is now closed.
I’ve written about some of the best Costa Coffee to work in London, and one of my favorites is Unit 3 right outside King’s Cross Station, the one that faces St Pancras International.
However, it’s the Costa Coffee inside St Pancras Station that you’ll want to visit if you’re looking for 24 hour places to study in London.
There, you’ve got everything you need from comfortable seats to hot drinks, free WiFi, and power outlets.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
Libraries & Cafes Open Late in London
As you’ve seen, there are actually not a lot of 24 hour places to study in London.
However, I’ve looked a bit more into the study spaces and coffee shops I’ve visited in the past, and I’ve found that some of them are actually open late, from 9 pm onwards.
Library Open Late in London: Idea Store Whitechapel
Let’s start with one of the best libraries in London to study, the Idea Store in Whitechapel, close to Brick Lane where you’ll find other amazing cafes to work at during the day.
The Idea Store in Whitechapel is part of several branches of Idea Store libraries, scattered around East London.
You have another branch on Chrisp Street, and one in Canary Wharf, and they’re open from 9 am till 9 pm.
Compared to 24 hour study spots in London, it seems pretty tight in terms of opening hours, but it’s still really good if you’re looking for free libraries, and to get some good work done.
Read: The Best Halal Cafes in London
Best Study Cafe in London Open Late: Sessions
Then, you’ve got something a little bit different, the Sessions restaurant in Islington, in North London.
It’s not too far from King’s Cross and St Pancras, and it’s open pretty late, until 10 pm most days, 10.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 pm on Sundays (closed on Mondays)
If you’re looking for good cafes open late in London to get work done, Sessions is probably one of the most underrated study spaces.
If you’re used to working in spots like Mare Street Market in East London, you’ll recognize the food hall vibe, and there’s literally no issue with working there all day till the evening.
Read: The Best Cat Cafes in London
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Caffè Vergnano
Caffè Vergnano is one of my favorite Italian cafes in London.
It’s located close to Oodles Chinese which makes some really affordable Asian noodle boxes, the British Museum, and both Holborn and Chancery Lane stations.
If you’re looking for a cafe open late in London not too far from Central, Caffè Vergnano 1882 is open every day from 7 am to 11 pm, and from 10 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
You’ve got seats both inside and outside, so depending on the weather, you can either just read a good book on the terrace, or visit it after a work shift if you’re really looking to grind.
Read: The Best Cafes in Brixton
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: The Hoxton Shoreditch
There are lots of hotel lobbies in London where you can work, and one of them is The Hoxton Shoreditch, close to all the cool markets.
There used to be one of the very best 24 hour places to study in London right nearby, the Ace Hotel, but it’s now closed and the second next best thing is The Hoxton.
Although there are lots of free quiet study spaces in London, I have always felt like The Hoxton had this vibe.
Like you’re a freelancer, like you’re a digital nomad, and like you can make anything happen.
Careful though, as a lot of people looking for cafes to work in London and study spaces open late visit The Hoxton Shoreditch on a daily basis – the lobby can get quite busy with people working on their laptops.
I’d recommend going as early as possible, as the Hoxton lobby is open every day from 7 am to midnight.
Then, you can either get a drink or a bite, or nothing at all, and work the day and the evening away.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Shoreditch
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Barbican Centre
Although the Barbican Library is open at the latest until 7.30 pm a few days a week, you can still stay in the Barbican Centre to work and study.
There are lots of things to do in London at night, but if you’re central and want to get work done before, that’s a great spot simply because it’s one of the only free study spaces in London.
The Barbican Centre is open from 9.30 am to 11 pm every single day of the week, so even if it doesn’t offer a 24 hour library, it’s still a great place to work.
There are several spaces to work in the Barbican Centre, as it’s really a huge spot, but the hall is already really welcoming, with free WiFi and some power outlets here and there.
Read: The Best Restaurants in Knightsbridge
Best Study Cafe in London Open Late: Cafe 1001
Like most cafes open late in London, Cafe 1001 on Brick Lane turns into a party place at night.
However, while it can get loud with the music, it’s still a good place to get work done – especially if noise doesn’t disturb you (I know I don’t mind).
Cafe 1001 is an amazing cafe to work in London during the day since it opens at 6 am, and it closes almost every day at midnight.
You’ve got free WiFi, some power outlets here and there, and a functional bathroom.
There are a few cafes to work in Brick Lane I absolutely love, like Kahaila not too far, but Cafe 1001 is perfect in substitution to a 24 hour library or coffee shop.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Cafes Open Late in London to Study: Starbucks Wardour St
I love finding new cafes to work in Soho, simply because this area is so central that you can literally find anything and everything.
From TK Maxx candles to cute little pastry shops like Cafe de Nata, and obviously, super cool coffee shops.
Unfortunately, most of the laptop friendly cafes in Soho close pretty early, if not for Bar Italia, one of my favorite Italian cafes in London – but it’s not super laptop friendly per se, and more of a hangout place.
That’s without counting Starbucks on Wardour Street, which is indeed a super cool cafe to work at – and open late.
The opening times range from 6 am to 10 pm most days of the week, so if you can’t seem to find other 24 hour places to study in Central London, you’ve got a really comfy option here.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Miami
Best Study Cafe in London Open Late: Caffè Nero Warren Street
I absolutely love working in Caffè Nero coffee shops – I’ve told you about Caffè Nero more times on The Working Line than I recall.
There are a lot scattered across London, and one of my favorites is the one on Tottenham Court Road, a few steps away from Warren Street station.
If you’re ever looking for a good cafe open late near Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus, this one closes at 9 pm, which isn’t the best, but still really good.
Especially when you see that at the back of Caffè Nero Warren Street, you’ve got a huge space where lots of people are studying and working on their laptops every hour of the day.
There are many other Caffè Nero coffee shops open late in London to study; it seems to be one of the chain cafes that really emphasizes long opening hours – so take advantage of it!
Read: The Best Bookshop Cafes in London
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Caffè Nero Southbank
If you’re looking for cafes to study near London Bridge open late, you’ve also got Caffè Nero at Oxo Tower.
It’s close to both the Tate Modern, London Bridge station, Borough Market, and Blackfriars station, and it’s one of the best cafes to work in London overall.
Caffè Nero at Oxo Tower is open from 6.30 am to 10 pm every day, except on Fridays and Saturdays when it’s open until 10.30 pm.
In my experience, with the number of power outlets and how fast the WiFi is, it might not be one of the best 24 hour places to study in London, but it’s a really great place if you’re looking for cafes open late to work.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in West London
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Pret Marble Arch
Pret a Manger offers some of the best cafes to work in London.
Yet, most of them close pretty early, like the one near London Bridge on Borough High Street which I still consider to be one of the best branches to study.
Pret a Manger Marble Arch is located at the very top of Oxford Street, after Primark and Superdrug, and opens at 6.30 am almost every day and closes at midnight or 1 am depending on the day of the week.
It can get quite busy, and the seats get snatched pretty quickly.
Yet, I have never seen that many students and freelancers working there: most people come for a drink and a bite and get on with their lives.
I’ve found that a few of the power outlets don’t work, and there are no toilets.
Still, if you’ve got your laptop charged and a Pret subscription, it’s still one of your options if you’re looking for a cafe to study late in Central London.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Marylebone
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: National Theatre
Another place we never really think of when looking for 24 hour places to study in London is the National Theatre – the Espresso Bar might close early, but the foyers don’t.
Actually, the main foyers of the National Theatre are open every day but on Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm, and there are tables, chairs, and power outlets scattered about.
Again, not a study space open 24 hours a day, but still one of the best places to study around London Bridge and Southbank when you’ve really got to make it happen and don’t want to work from home.
Nearby, you’ve also got the Royal Festival Hall open until 11 pm from Wednesdays to Sundays.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, it’s open until 6 pm unless there’s an event, in which case it’s open until the end of the event.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in West Hampstead
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Scootercaffè
I’ve always had the biggest trouble finding good study cafes in Waterloo, and in my opinion, there are many more places to study in Southbank, or around the Strand and Covent Garden than in Waterloo.
Yet, if you’re looking for cafes to work in London open late around Waterloo, you’ve got Scootercaffè (also spelled Scooter Cafe), right there on Lower Marsh.
Not the biggest study cafe, but it’s open until 11 pm most days, and until 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Beware, it becomes a bar in the evenings, so it can be pretty busy and louder.
Yet, if you’re looking for a safe space to work until late in the evening, Scootercaffè is a good option, especially since it’s one of the cutest vintage cafes in London.
Read: The Biggest TK Maxx in London
Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London: Fugitive Motel
Update: The Fugitive Motel is now closed.
The Fugitive Motel offers one of the best cafes to work in Bethnal Green, and it’s close to all the amazing charity shops like Oxfam and the Spitalfields Crypt Trust.
If you’re ever looking for 24 hour places to study in London around East London, it’s going to be really tough.
Why?
Because those places and coffee shops are usually located right in Central London, and most definitely around important stations like St Pancras and King’s Cross.
Yet, the Fugitive Motel on Cambridge Heath Road is open until 11 pm.
That means that as long as you get a drink to sip while you’re working on your laptop, it makes for one of the best cafes open late in London to study.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in East London
Best Study Cafe in London Open Late: Joe and the Juice Regent Street
It’s honestly not that easy to find really good cafes open late in London to study and do some productive work away from home, but Joe and the Juice on Regent Street is a really good option.
I only started getting interested in Joe and the Juice and Black Sheep Coffee cafes a few months ago after I realized that they’re both among some of the best places to study in London.
Joe and the Juice on Regent Street is spacious, and it’s open from 7 am to 10 pm absolutely every day of the week.
Free WiFi, a really laidback atmosphere, and power outlets here and there – even if it’s not a 24 hour cafe, it’s still the next best thing.
Read: The Best Cafes to Study in North London
18 Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London & Cafes Open Late
There you have them, all the best 24 hour places to study in London, and libraries and cafes open late to do some productive work away from home!
Hopefully, you’ll have found here everything you need.
I’ve tried my best to create the most complete guide possible, and many of the best study spaces and coffee shops open late have sadly closed these past few years.
You can do this, I believe in you!
Until next time!
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The Working Line
Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.