About Central London
Central London is the beating heart of the capital, buzzing with activity and exciting new developments, making it one of the most sought after places for companies to rent office space. This area of London is a unique mix of central Government offices, company headquarters, the largest concentration of financial and business sector offices, as well as publishing, advertising and media organisations. It is one of the most sought-after regions for companies who want to be in the centre of the action and it provides brilliant networking opportunities for businesses in a host of different sectors.
If you want to learn more about working in the big city, you can read about working in London with our area guide.
Central London is officially defined as comprising the City of London, the majority of Westminster and the innermost parts of Camden, Islington, Hackney, Southwark and Kensington and Chelsea. However, more broadly speaking, it is considered to encapsulate the area from Primrose Hill in the north to Pimlico in the south, Kensington in the west and Spitalfields to the east. With the River Thames running through it, Central London includes many of London’s most distinctive attractions. Key landmarks in Central London include the National Gallery, Oxford Circus, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park.
Properties in this area vary from beautiful refurbished period buildings to stylish converted warehouses, with a host of new developments and luxury buildings cropping up all the time. Many of the country’s most vital businesses and embassies can be found in Central London, making it a hugely influential part of the country. For business owners, there are few locations that are quite as desirable to occupy office space as a postcode in the centre of the capital. In addition to being surrounded by some of the world’s biggest and most important names, it is also packed with great amenities, entertainment and connections to the rest of the city and beyond.
Serviced Office Space in Central London
Central London provides a wide variety of office space for companies to choose from, as well as many locations that each have their own unique properties and qualities. Businesses looking for office premises with great facilities and plenty of character may want to look to areas such as Marylebone where there are a number of beautifully converted period buildings that provide a network of private offices or coworking space with flexible terms to suit businesses of all sizes.
Alternatively, businesses may want to seek out areas appropriate to their specific sector for great networking opportunities – finance companies may choose to be closer to Westminster and the City, for example, while creative industries tend to flourish in inspiring neighbourhoods such as Camden and Soho. Commercial premises in this area benefit from unbeatable transport connections and facilities, as well as inspiring views of the city.
For more contemporary complexes, areas such as Victoria are perfect, with a host of unique and stylish office buildings just moments from the station. With such fantastic connections to the rest of the city by public transport, most people choose to avoid using their cars in this part of the city. Instead they choose the regular buses and Tube services that offer more convenience and a quicker journey, without the risk of congestion charge fees.
Nearby Areas
Areas surrounding Central London include Whitechapel, Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith, Clapham, Kensal Green and Wimbledon. The rest of city, however, is easily accessible from Central London from any of its many Tube stations and bus services.
Transport in Central London
Central London provides a wealth of transport options, including the Underground and Overground for zones 1 and 2, regular buses and taxis, and cycle routes, making it a prime location for companies to rent office space. Some of the main Tube stations in Central London include Euston, Victoria, Charing Cross, Paddington, Westminster and Bank.
The journey from Victoria Station to Shepherds Bush is around 30 minutes, while Westminster to Clapham Junction is around a 16-minute journey for commuters. Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are both accessible via train and Tube lines from Central London. Many road users will have to pay a congestion fee charge in order to drive in Central London during weekdays, covering areas from Marylebone to Shoreditch, Elephant and Castle and Victoria.
Food, Shopping and Culture
People working in Central London offices have their pick of some of the city’s best-loved restaurants, bars and coffee shops. In addition to great dining in areas such as Soho and Marylebone, many of the area’s key landmarks can also be found here for culture and entertainment after work or during their lunchbreak. There are also great opportunities for shopping on the likes of Bond Street, Oxford Circus and in Kensington. On practically every street of Central London, workers will find cafés, coffee bars, fine dining and chain restaurants where they can grab food throughout the day quickly and conveniently.