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 28 July 2026

Please note that from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026, London Charring Cross station and Waterloo East will be closed. Please plan your travel accordingly.

We arrive around 6pm, set up and write quietly until 07:30pm when the store begins to close. The Waterstones Cafe is open for you to buy refreshments but please don’t take your drink onto the shop floor for fear of damaging books. We are normally located on the desks directly behind the stairs as these are reserved for us by the Waterstones staff but this may change depending on how busy the cafe is. If you are having difficulty finding us please look for the Writers Beside the Square signs that will be on display.

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.