Forget the library, try these York underrated study spots instead

Sometimes I just need more to power through those brain rotting assignments

1 month ago | UPDATED 3 weeks ago

Whether you’re trying to become an academic weapon this year, or simply hoping to scrape by with something that justifies the £9,250 tuition you paid to pretty much spend the whole year in Salvos, the chances are that at some point soon, you’ll need to lock in and get some work done. While the library might seem the obvious place to do this, it’s not exactly a favourite study location among all students. Finding a seat can be more difficult than securing Eras Tour tickets, leaving you completing sweaty laps of the building and wishing you hadn’t put that warm jumper on. Plus, the 70s brutalism doesn’t exactly make for the most aesthetic visual surroundings.

Not to fear though, here are some on and off-campus recommendations for alternative study spots that may just motivate you to have a glance at your readings.

The Perky Peacock

Starting off with a personal favourite; this café is THE most aesthetic study spot in York. Located inside a 14th century tower along the castle walls, if you’re like me and need to romanticise academia to persuade yourself to get anything done, this is the place for you. Without loud music or massively busy periods, this is the place to go if you really want to start focusing and making a dent in your reading list.

King’s Manor

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It may be a basic choice but when it’s time to focus, the peace and quiet of this Grade 1 listed building can work wonders (without you needing to spend money on buying another coffee). Open from 8am-6pm and located in the centre of York, this is a great pick if you want to head into town and spend the day getting an assignment knocked out. It can be hard to get a seat during exam season though, so try to get there early if you’re planning on going during this time.

The Kitchen At Alcuin

If silent study isn’t your thing and you need a bit of a buzz around you to work, head to this lovely little on-campus café. It’s a hub of activity and a great location to work alongside your fellow students with the moral support of a coffee by your side (their chai lattes are my personal recommendation). Charging ports are hard to come by here though, so come with your laptop fully charged if you don’t want to fight to the death over your spot.

Church Lane building

Nestled at the edge of Campus West, this is another often overlooked on-campus library alternative. Though you can work here without having to buy anything, the Link Café serves Starbucks drinks and genuinely delicious Asian food. If a £6.95 katsu curry doesn’t aid your studying I don’t know what will, and it will certainly put a little bit less of a dent on the student budget than a Wagamama’s!

The Piazza

Widely known but largely underappreciated, the Piazza building has a multitude of study spaces to suit the vibe of any workload. The library section is surprisingly aesthetically pleasing and great for focused studying, with the other floors providing spaces for a more chatty vibe. Living on Campus East last year, this space has saved my grades on many occasions.

Rowntree Park Reading Café

This final quaint café has to be one of the prettiest, particularly with its outdoor terrace overlooking one of York’s best and must underappreciated green spaces. This café also serves an array of smoothies if you aren’t in the mood for another coffee, not to mention some top tier sweet treats!

So, whether you’re going to be on top of all your work this year or still submitting assignments dangerously close to their deadlines, at least you know the best places to start getting that work done (or at least to go with honest intentions).