Your Guide to the Best Study and Rest Spots Around LSE

I loved making the most of LSE’s campus, and studying in the heart of London, while at Summer School – yes, you have to work hard, but you get to work in some great places! Between classes, I discovered quiet corners, lively cafés, and green spaces both on and near campus that kept me motivated (and caffeinated) throughout my time at Summer School. This guide shares my go-to study spots and the best places for a break, depending on what you need, on or near LSE’s campus.

Study Spots on Campus

Centre Building Outdoor Terrace

Starting off strong with my favourite study space: the second-floor outdoor terrace of the Centre Building (CBG). Lined with hedges and flowers, it feels like a hidden garden in the middle of campus. On sunny days, it's the perfect spot to get fresh air and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Make sure to grab a coffee and pastry from the Beveridge Café on the ground floor before you head up.

Library Booths

For those days when you need to absolutely lock in, the third-floor booths in the library are ideal. Their tall design blocks out distractions, and the spacious desks and swivel chairs are perfect for spreading out notes. And are you even a real LSE student if you haven’t climbed up the iconic library spiral staircase?

Marshall Building Group Spaces

My favourite part of Summer School was the people I met from all over the world. The Marshall Building is designed for chatting and collaborating, with circular sofas and big tables that make group studying both productive and fun. In one of my classes, we worked in teams of eight on a consulting project, and the spacious tables made it easy to spread out while still feeling connected. Even on days I studied alone, the energy in the room made it hard not to feel productive.

Cafés Near Campus

Some days call for a change of scenery and a caffeine hit. Here are some of my top spots for a change of scenery, great coffee and fast Wi-Fi, all within a five-minute walk of LSE.

Roasting Plant

Roasting Plant is all about convenience. Every seat has an outlet, the Wi-Fi is reliable, and each cup of coffee is brewed in-house - it almost feels like a café made for students. I highly recommend getting their avocado toast that is piled high with egg and bacon.

Sontag

Sontag is super bright and minimal, with huge windows that make it feel calm and airy, exactly what I needed after hours in the library. But what makes it stand out is the matcha. They do fun twists like strawberry or sea-salt matcha lattes, and even a sparkling yuzu matcha in the summer. It’s a smaller space and can get busy, but honestly, the matcha is worth the wait.

Cafebotanical

Cafebotanical doubles as a co-working space, making it ideal for maximizing your productivity. The spacious layout is filled with couches, deep chairs, and bar tables so you can pick what kind of environment suits you for the day. The low lighting, jazz playlist, and free Wi-Fi makes it perfect for a long study session. Cafebotanical also has the best food, offering a healthy, seasonal menu, making it a great space for a larger meal.

Rest Spots Around Campus

Sometimes the best way to stay productive is to take a break. These nearby spots helped me reset and enjoy London in between study sessions.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields 

Right across from the Marshall Building sits Lincoln’s Inn Fields. It’s London’s largest public square, which means there is plenty of room to spread out on the grass, sip an iced coffee from the Pear Tree Café, or watch a casual tennis match on the courts. My favourite routine was grabbing food from a local shop and having a picnic in the middle of London.

The National Gallery

Even with a busy Summer School schedule, it’s easy to make time for London’s culture. The National Gallery is just a 15-minute walk from LSE and free to enter, making it the perfect place for a break from studying. I’d pop in my AirPods, wander past paintings from Monet to Van Gogh, and let the quiet galleries reset my mind. Each visit I’d pick a different wing to explore, and I always left feeling recharged and ready to jump back into studying.

Covent Garden

A short walk from campus, Covent Garden is full of energy, with street performers, shops, and plenty of places to grab a treat. I recommend stopping by Ladurée for macarons. It’s the perfect way to reward yourself after a long study session. And if you’re there in July, don’t miss Wimbledon season - Covent Garden shows live matches on an outdoor screen, making it a fun way to enjoy the atmosphere of one of London’s biggest summer traditions.

This blog was written by one of our 2025 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.