The Ultimate Guide to Working in London
1. Overview of London
2. Demographics
3. Types of Properties in London
4. Popular Areas in London to Rent Offices
5. Comparing Office Prices in London
6. Food and Drink Options
7. Green Spaces in London
8. Business Events
9. Available Accommodation
10. Shopping in London
11. Health and Wellbeing Centres
12. London's Hidden Gems
Overview of London
As the capital of England, London is one of the world's oldest and most populated cities. Home to approximately 9.7 million people, it has a diverse mix of cultures and architectural styles and hosts a range of iconic landmarks, such as the Tower of London and the London Eye.
This guide will provide all the necessary information on working and renting an office in London.
Demographics
• Average annual income for 22 to 29-year-olds is around £30,000.
• There are over 270 nationalities who live in London. Around 40% of citizens are born outside of the UK.
• There are an estimated 916,000 job vacancies, with the largest employment sectors being financial and professional services.
• London’s population is 15 times denser than the rest of England.
Types of Properties in London
London is dominated by Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture, and there is a range of private office options to suit every budget.
Georgian properties, typically found in areas like Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, are characterised by their grand design. This leads to spacious interiors with generally larger office floor plates.
Victorian buildings in Notting Hill and Kensington, on the other hand, feature decorative brickwork and prominent windows. Offices in these buildings often boast excellent natural light.
Hampstead and Marylebone are well-known for their elegant Edwardian properties, providing the local area with character and historic significance.
One of the most distinctive buildings in London is the Shard, a modern high-rise building with excellent river-side views. It is perfect for any business looking for impressive, serviced offices.
Another well-known property clad in stainless steel and dark reflective glass, is One Canada Square (Canary Wharf). This unique pyramid-shaped tower offers office space suitable for newer startups and well-established businesses.
Popular Areas in London to Rent Offices
One of the most popular places in London to rent office space is The City of London. It is home to numerous multinational corporations, law firms, media companies, and investment banks.
Closer to central London, Shoreditch is a well-known place to rent serviced offices. As a location for technology and creativity, companies have chosen to locate here to be closer to the buzz of the Silicon Roundabout.
Serviced offices in Soho are in demand, especially for TV and advertising companies. Businesses, such as The Mill, are renting offices here.
Farringdon is another great place to rent private offices. It is filled with finance, legal, and insurance companies, like Goldman Sachs. With the recent arrival of the Elizabeth line, the location is even more interconnected.
Near the River Thames is London Bridge. This area has undergone extensive development, increasing business growth opportunities due to improved accessibility and economic prospects. These new developments can be found alongside older monuments.
With a similar location near the river, Waterloo has a growing number of tech and industry-related businesses. It has over 1,400 automotive, aerospace and food manufacturing companies and has leading employers such as Toyota and Google.
Comparing Office Prices in London
Location within London is one of the main factors impacting the cost of workspaces.
One of the most expensive places to rent an office is Mayfair, located in the West End of London. The price of a private office desk in Mayfair averages around £1000.
In comparison, Hammersmith is a more affordable area in West London for renting private workspaces, with an average cost of around £500 per desk.
Enfield, located in North London, is the cheapest area to rent a serviced office. Desks here average £192, whereas the most expensive area in North London is Borehamwood, with prices averaging £324 per desk.
Food and Drink Options
Central London boasts many places to eat, ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to independently-owned restaurants.
London is home to a fantastic range of Michelin-star restaurants. These are perfect for impressing clients and business partners. Examples include Club Gascon, Trinity, and The Araki.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative for hosting team meetings or events, try Speedboat Bar in Soho or Poulet in Bermondsey.
Brunswick East is an excellent café for grabbing a snack during lunch breaks. Pubs like The Harp and The Shipwrights Arms are also recommended for quick after-work meetups with colleagues.
Green Spaces in London
London is well known for its mixture of urban and green areas throughout the city. In fact, 20% of London is public green space. With such an extensive range of options, we will share some of the most popular ones in each area:
West London:
• Kensington Gardens (view map) – A lovely garden space that includes the Serpentine Galleries, Albert Memorial, and Diana Memorial Gardens. The relaxed outdoor environment can provide a refreshing change from the typical office space.
• Chelsea Physic Garden (view map)—Established in 1673, this garden has a rich history of developing herbal medicine.
East London/City of London
• Victoria Park (view map) – Located at the boundary of Hackney, this park frequently holds community events with live music and sports. Pedal and rowing boats are also available for hire and can be used for team events.
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (view map) – This complex was built in 2012 for Stratford's Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
• Sky Garden (view map) —A public garden featuring a top-floor restaurant, Sky Garden is famous with professionals for lunch and after-work meetings.
North London:
• Hampstead Heath (view map)—This recreational area has an air lido, tennis court, and football and cricket pitches.
• Gladstone Park (view map) – A heavily used park due to its location and accessibility. It has a formal duck pond and multiple outdoor exercise facilities for lunch or after work.
South-East London:
• Greenwich Park (view map)—This former hunting park is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site. The Pavilion Café within it offers breakfast, lunch, and BBQs in the Summer, which are excellent venues for nearby private offices renters to host client outings.
• Dulwich Park (view map)—Created from former farmland and meadows, it is accessible by public transport to professionals renting serviced offices in other parts of the city. The park is commonly used for casual get-togethers after work or on the weekends.
• Crystal Palace Park (view map) – Offers frequent events ranging from meditation to Indian Club Swinging.
Central London:
• Hyde Park (view map)—One of the most popular parks in London, this park features the Diana Memorial Fountain. Serpentine Lake is also an open-to-the-public Swimming Area.
• Regent’s Park (view map) – Includes The London Zoo, a boating lake, and an open-air theatre. The park contains several sports facilities for team-building events that can help improve team morale and workplace productivity.
Business Events
Many networking events occur in London, which is ideal for professionals to gain valuable insights into specific industries, such as finance.
London Tech Week is a week-long celebration of tech involving conferences, exhibitions and the opportunity to meet other professionals. This is usually held in June at Olympia Events.
If you’re interested in an event where entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses can network and showcase their ideas, The Business Show is great. It occurs twice a year, typically in May and November at ExCeL London.
The Business Innovation Expo is another annual event held in March at ExCeL London. It features panel discussions, workshops, product demonstrations, and talks about AI and sustainability.
These events can entice both newer and well-established businesses when deciding on a location, which explains why London is such a popular place to rent private offices.
Available Accommodation
London has many different types of hotels ranging from luxury to boutique. Here, we will list some well-known options available for professionals.
• The Kensington Hotel is a luxurious 5-star place to stay when travelling into the country for a business trip, situated in the heart of South Kensington.
• Broadwick Soho is a lovely option for those looking for rooms with bespoke furniture and artwork.
• Raffles London in Whitehall is rated as a 5-star boutique hotel. It has an indoor pool and sauna, private parking, and a buffet serving British, European, and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Premier Inn has consistent quality across locations, making it a reliable option for employees. Professionals from serviced offices around London can stay at various locations.
Shopping in London
Whether you are interested in staying on the High Street or in a major shopping centre, London has it all.
Oxford Street is a major outdoor shopping destination in London, including well-known department stores, such as Selfridges. Its prime location and foot traffic make it a promising location for promotional events or pop-ups.
Carnaby Street has a lovely mix of independent boutiques and food spots. Workers from private offices in the area can easily access it for weekend shopping.
Covent Garden is another popular destination renowned for its luxury beauty, fashion stores, well-established theatres, and restaurants.
With locations worldwide, Westfield Stratford is popular due to its convenience. By combining retail and dining, local workers can run errands during breaks or after work.
London also has smaller markets like Camden, Spitalfields and Portobello Road Market. Filled with food, music, and fashion, these markets are great for creative workers from different offices to connect in a less formal environment.
Health and Wellbeing Centres
London has a variety of fitness and wellbeing centres promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
• Virgin Active – Has expert personal trainers and the latest equipment, as well as swimming pools and dedicated studios for yoga and pilates classes.
• Bodyism – Provides clients with bespoke personal training and boutique fitness classes.
• The Bulgari Spa – A luxury spa within the Bulgari Hotel. Those working in serviced offices near Knightsbridge can enjoy health-enhancing treatments after work.
• The Ned Spa – Offers various relaxing services. Hotel guests who book directly receive a complimentary day spa, perfect for clients travelling into the country.
London’s Hidden Gems
Although London is a well-known city, hidden gems are still prevalent. Some of the highest-rated hidden gems are:
• Hill Garden and Pergola – Built in the early 1900s, it is a secluded garden with terraces and greenery that overlooks the West Heath. It’s located in Hampstead.
• Isabella Plantation, Richmond, showcases colourful Azaleas in spring that have been referred to as a “perfect pink paradise” for reflective thinking to stimulate creative ideas and provide a fresh perspective.
• Kyoto Garden - Another charming garden in Kensington; this one was built to celebrate the 1922 Japan Festival in London and features beautiful peacocks. Professionals using private offices nearby can use this space to practice mindfulness and improve focus and productivity.
• The Red Cross Garden in Southwark is part of the Bankside Open Spaces Trust and hosts weddings, garden parties, and corporate gatherings – used by businesses in the area.
• St James’s Park - If you’re interested in gorgeous views, you can enjoy the sight of Buckingham Palace. It was named after a medieval hospital dedicated to St James the Less. Its central location makes it ideal for professionals working in private spaces nearby to explore during lunch.
