Since 2023 I’ve been running my writing group, Writers Beside the Square every Tuesday evening between 18:00 – 20:00 hrs at the Waterstones Cafe at Trafalgar Square. The group is free and anyone is welcome to join. The date of the next session, and any additional details, can be found below:

Next session: Tuesday 16 June 2026

The Waterstones staff very kindly allow us to use the space while it is closed to members of the public. We arrive around 6pm, set up and write in near silence until 8pm when the store closes. As the cafe is closed it is advisable to bring in your own drink from outside, there are plenty of Costas, Prets and Cafe Nero’s to choose from. (Please don’t take your drink onto the shop floor for fear of damaging books). The stairs to the cafe are closed from 6pm onwards, if you arrive after this time please take the lift to the top floor and look for us. We’ll be the only ones up there and probably working away on our laptops.

The venue has a working lift and we have access to disabled toilets if needed. The café has plugs but no USB charging ports, if you want bring your laptop with you, make sure it is fully charged.

If you wish to join us for some quality writing time either email me directly or explain to a staff member in store that you’re there for the writing group.

Email: jackdowd@sky.com

The nearest train and tube station is Charring Cross. Leicester Square, Embankment and Piccadilly Circus are also within walking distance.