Best coffee shops in the Thames Valley to work from

Coffee shops might seem like a fairly new concept, but the truth is that they’ve been in this country in one form or another since the 17th century, when the brewed stuff first hit these shores from Turkey.

Cafés serving coffee have existed in various forms since then, but it wasn’t really until the 1990’s that the coffee shop and café cultures of the US and Europe really took hold in the UK. Between the years 1993 and 1997, the number of UK coffee shops rose by a staggering 847%. Who can we thank for this? Well, the broad answer seems to be Starbucks and Friends, given it was more of a cultural and zeitgeist-driven thing at the time.

It wasn’t a fad, though. Coffee shops are still incredibly popular in the villages, towns and cities of Britain. Of course, many exist for the sole purpose of selling Americanos to shoppers and espressos to commuters. But a large new market has emerged in recent years: ‘The Worker’.

Walk into most coffee shops now and for every mum nursing a flat white you see, you’ll also find someone sipping from a giant cardboard cup, tapping away at a laptop. Many people work and hold meetings (whether in person or virtually) from them now.

With that in mind, let’s explore some of the finest independent coffee shops of the Thames Valley. Places you’d be more than happy to log into the Wi-Fi and work for an hour or three. Just make sure you buy a few drinks and a panini while you’re there…

The Ashmolean Café

Location: The Ashmolean Museum, The University of Oxford

As you can imagine, this world famous city of culture, history and academia isn’t left wanting for high quality coffee shops. So if you’re in Oxford and looking for somewhere to sit and do a little work, or meet someone, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

We could have recommended any number of excellent independent coffee shops in the city centre or out in the suburbs such as Jericho or Headington. Our top pick, however, has a recognisable name - The Ashmolean Café.

Found at the top of the building for which it’s named, the museum itself is the University of Oxford's museum of art and archaeology and was founded all the way back in 1683. The café is a little newer though, of course.

There’s plenty of space, so you’re never crowded and usually able to find a large enough table if you’re meeting folk. Lunch is served from 12pm to 3pm each day, with the very fancy - and very delicious - afternoon tea available from 3pm to 4pm. You can, though, of course, just enjoy a drink. Opening hours are 10am to 4.30pm.

The opening hours may be slightly limited and lunch often needs to be booked, but it’s all worth it when you’re presented with the genuinely quite incredible views of the city from the rooftop terrace.

In their words: “Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea over the beautiful views from our rooftop restaurant and terrace, or stop off at our café for food and drink to eat in or take away.”

Café No. 1

Location: Thames Valley Science Park, Reading

Owned by the University of Reading, The Thames Valley Science Park is halfway between Reading and Shinfield, just off the M4. It’s not the sort of place you stumble across during a trip to the town centre, but its proximity to the nearby motorway doesn’t make it an inconvenient place to visit.

It’s a lively business park that, as its name suggests, is largely dominated by science and tech-based companies. Serving them their daily cups of Joe is Café No. 1, a hospitable and modern coffee shop found on site in The Gateway House.

It’s an oddly tranquil space, given all the cutting edge research, technology and buzz that surrounds the place. Crucially, it’s also quite large, meaning you can have informal, ad hoc meetings there, should you feel the need.

A nice bonus is that there’s a focus on nutritional breakfasts and lunches at Café No. 1, so you don’t have to survive the morning or afternoon on calorie-heavy flapjacks and caffeine. Unless you want to, of course.

In their words: “Located in the Thames Valley Science Park in Reading, enjoy a warm welcome when you step into Cafe No 1. Quick nutritious breakfasts, lunches and light meals to eat in or take away. The relaxed setting makes this an ideal space for people to have informal meetings over coffee or lunch.”

Rio Deli

Location: Maidenhead Library

Found in the same building as the town’s library and behind its town hall, Maidenhead’s Rio Deli is a relaxed and friendly café that’s only been open since the summer of 2020, but is already a favourite with townsfolk.

Come for a coffee and somewhere to catch up on emails and take some calls, stay for the food. Hot wraps, paninis, pizzas and sandwiches all please the locals. It’s the Spanish and Latin fare that really impresses, though. With chorizo, chicken and pepper-heavy menu offerings like quesadillas and fajitas the standouts.

The outside space is enjoyable in the warmer months and, once you’ve finished your meeting and hot chocolate, you can always nip into the library and borrow a pageturner for the week. Not all coffee shops and cafés offer that option, do they…?