A few weeks ago on Twitter, I asked my lovely connections if they could suggest the best spaces in attractions and museums, that I could sit and work for a while.
I was looking to build up a list of wonderful spaces to visit for inspiration, then sit and catch up on work for a while.
Well, Twitter did not disappoint, and now I’m sharing that list with you all. If you want to read through the original thread, you can find it here.
Islington Libraries
Apparently there’s a wonderful reference room in Islington Central Library that’s been recently refurbished and is lovely.
Royal Geographical Society
There’s a membership require for The Royal Geographical Society, but it also has bookable meeting rooms too for a good price.
National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is free to enter and has good no-account-needed wi-fi.
Photo credits to National Memorial Arboretum website
Brading Roman Villa
Should you be on the Isle of Wight then the cafe and views at Brading Roman Villa look pretty special.
Photo credits to Branding Roman Villa website
Wellcome Collection
The cafe & the library came highly recommended, as did the Reading Room.
Sheffield Cathedral Cafe
Sheffield Cathedral cafe apparently does a mean fruit cake in the cafe – tempting.
National Theatre
Southbank Centre
The members area in the Southbank Centre also came highly recommended.
Photo credits to Southbank Centre website
Barbican Centre
The British Library
One of my personal favourites.
Somerset House
V&A
The Members room looks very nice, and the cafe is stellar!
Sheffield Central library
Sheffield Central library has the added benefit of the art gallery on the top floor for a stroll and a clearing of the mind.
Members Room at Tate Britain
The Member cafe/lounge at Tate Modern is great for that if you have a membership.
Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill
Has a lovely cafe and the tea comes in handmade stoneware mugs and is served under a Toyota which hangs from the ceiling in bits like a 3D exploded diagram.
Photo credits to Derby Museums website
Bristol Old Vic
@BristolOldVic If you’re ever in Bristol, the cafe and foyer looks pretty fabulous.
London Museum of Water & Steam
A free shared workspace with free WiFi, an amazing community cafe, and massive stationery steam engines.
Whitby Museum
Incredible range of exhibits. They do a mean cuppa and cake too I’m told.
Photo credits to Whitby Museum website
Leeds Museums & Galleries
The Tiled Hall Cafe at Leeds Museums & Galleries is lovely.
Barbican Library
You can join the Barbican Library which looks awesome.
The Coffee House
@theRSAorg The Coffee House in the RSA has lots of lovely places to work.
MCR Art Gallery
In Manchester, @mcrartgallery
The Whitworth
The Portico Library
Library of Birmingham
@LibraryofBham Loads of desk space & power along with galleries, books & great views of the city if you need inspiration.
The National Archives
Open to visitors with a wide variety of spaces for working, with the added benefit of a free exhibition, access to the reading rooms, and a great cafe.
Royal Museums Greenwich
@RMGreenwich would make you warmly welcome in the Caird Library and Archive
Lincoln Cathedral Cafe
If you’re in Lincoln, the Cathedral Cafe has some lovely spaces (indoor and outdoor).
The Collection
Museum of Cambridge
Credit: Photo by Remy_Loz on Unsplash
Author:
Kelly Molson Managing Director
Host of the popular Skip the Queue Podcast, for people working in or working with visitor attractions, she regularly delivers workshops and presentations on the sector at various national conferences and universities including The Visitor Attractions Conference, ASVA and Anglia Ruskin University.
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