Every year we create a list of some of the hottest offices around, detailing what makes them appeal to new hires and current employees.
After office closures in 2020 and 2021, many companies have now returned to business as usual and we’ve noticed a growing wellness trend with new office openings.
Here are 10 of our favourites!
The UK’s coolest offices for 2023
The new openings…
The established cool offices…
The one we’re (still) all waiting for…
The new openings…
Mindful Chef
Who: Making healthy eating easy
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: Healthy recipe boxers Mindful Chef welcomed employees back to their new HQ in Summer 2021, and it’s a beauty.
Four-legged friend friendly, with a Masterchef-style kitchen to cook in, employee wellness is a top priority.
There’s even an edible wall that grows nearly 100 edible plants so everyone can enjoy regular harvests and fresh food.
All photos credited to: Mindful Chef
Clevertouch
Who: A company that really loves MarTech (Marketing Technology for those not in the know)
Where: Alresford, South
Why it’s cool: Clevertouch wanted its new space to align with its brand values so created a number of breakout rooms centred on wellness including a gym and yoga studio.
Their bright, new Hampshire office is modern, with pops of their brand colours and plenty of quirky spaces for formal and informal meetings and get-togethers.
All photos credited to: Oktra
Oatly
Who: Plant-based drinks company
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: Swedish headquartered Oatly is continuing to expand in the UK. They took 2020 as an opportunity to refit their London digs with their office now reflecting the new way of working.
Think less desk space, and more collaborative spaces so that hybrid workers have a reason to show up.
Their rooftop meeting pod is one of those reasons, and perfect for an al-fresco chinwag (although we’re not sure how often it will get used in winter months!)
All photos credited to: Kitt Offices
Bella and Duke
Who: Healthy pet food brand
Where: Dunfermline, Scotland
Why it’s cool: It’s been touted as the most pet-friendly office in the UK, and we can see why.
The office includes a range of interactive spaces for four-legged visitors including kennels, toys, and a dog agility course.
Not to leave out their two-legged employees, the office has been created with a “park” theme, bringing the outdoors, indoors. There’s also a free gym, office pilates, yoga, stretch, and Peloton.
All photos credited to: Space Solutions
The Hickman
Who: Ultra-trendy East London office space
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: Ultra-cool East Londoners are flocking to the newly opened Hickman in Whitechapel. It provides rental office space, is the home to Four Communications, and has several floors of co-working space with Runway East.
Using smart technology, the owners are able to optimise the operation and maintenance of the building to reduce energy consumption while providing an app to all users that includes offers, events, and a concierge at their fingertips.
In the summer months, the 5,100 sq ft courtyard is a popular space for working, socialising and relaxing.
All photos credited to: The Hickman
Cloud Nexus
Who: Cloud consultants and IT services
Where: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Why it’s cool: Blurring the lines between working from home and working from the office, Cloud Nexus’ new HQ is meant to feel like home.
Based at a co-working space, Duke Studios in Leeds, Cloud Nexus has a variety of meeting rooms, comfy sofas, and plenty of lego to enjoy.
Their team also get all the perks of working from a co-working space such as free Yorkshire tea (very important for a Leeds-based business), a cafe and bar, and getting to know other creatives and businesses.
All photos credited to: Moxie Interior Design Co.
PYTCH
Who: The seriously creative live events production company
Where: Bristol, South West
Why it’s cool: Imagine working from an upcycled jumbo jet. At PYTCH, that vision is now a reality after during the pandemic the team converted a Boeing 727 into their office, aptly named PYTCHair.
The team can hot desk in the crew quarters or even take video calls from the cockpit.
What’s more, the outside of the plane has been decorated with murals from artists Hasan Kamil, Harriet Wood and Curtis Hylton, meaning it’s more than office, it’s now part of the thriving Bristol street art scene.
We bet it’s a great space for some blue sky thinking.
All photos credited to: PYTCH
The established cool offices…
AO
Who: Online electrical retailer with an earworm of a jingle
Where: Bolton, North West
Why it’s cool: Wellness is the name of the game at AO. Employees can treat themselves to a range of beauty and relaxation treatments during work time. As well as a heavily subsidised hair and nail salon, staff are treated to a free healthy breakfast every morning.
Like any funky office, there are all the things you might expect such as a pool table and table tennis as well as some creative meeting room themes such as the lego room.
All photos credited to: AO.com
ASOS
Who: The global online retailer, that millennials still think of as As Seen On Screen
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: ASOS HQ in Camden is in an iconic Art Deco building that has been kitted out with all the mod cons.
ASOS employees are treated to an onside gym, subsidised canteen and cafe, and beauty rooms for those middle-of-the-work-day pamper sessions.
The London office is also home to the ASOS studios where they shoot all of their products.
All photos credited to: MoreySmith
Hiut Denim Co.
Who: High-end jeans company bringing jeans manufacturing back to the UK
Where: Cardigan, Wales
What makes this place super cool is its roots in the history of Cardigan. The town was once home to the biggest jeans factory in Britain but was closed in the early 2000s when production was moved to Morocco to save costs. In a small town, this made a huge impact. About 10% of the town’s population lost their jobs overnight.
A decade later, Hiut bought production back to the town with an aim to get 400 people their jobs back, in the very same factory,
As a company rooted in purpose and sustainability, its space reflects this. Heritage machines, exposed wood, and space for fun and collaboration.
All photos credited to: Hiut Denim Co.
The one we’re (still) all waiting for…
Who: The reason we all say “just Google it”
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: This office has been on our list since 2021 and still doesn’t exist. Google’s “landscraper” is already dominating the King’s Cross area with Googlers set to move in at some point in 2024.
4,000 employees are going to take advantage of a range of high-spec amenities including a 25-metre swimming pool, a multi-use games area (for basketball, tennis, and 5-a-side football), and an incredible garden in the sky.
And this won’t be the only base for Googlers in the city, the company has also acquired brightly coloured office space in Soho, despite 20% of the workforce working remotely full-time.
All images credited to: Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Want to see even more cool offices? Check out our 2021 list.
The coolest offices in the UK – 2021
Lounge
Who: The online underwear retailer that makes comfort sexy
Where: Solihull, West Midlands
Why it’s cool: Despite being a relatively new company having only been founded in 2015, the Lounge team took a huge leap in 2021 to open a new HQ. The office has space for over 500 staff and includes the CUP cafe (we see what the bra company did there) that has its own cinema club, large family dining tables, lounge spaces, games like pool and table tennis, cosy booths, and big day beds.
There’s even a mysterious “vault” that houses the company’s past and present designs.
All photos credited to: Lounge Underwear
Friends of the Earth
Who: The non-profit environmental organisation
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: It’s unsurprising that Friends of the Earth would make sure that their new HQ had some serious sustainability credentials. Almost all of the materials used were recycled, reclaimed, or recyclable, all the lighting is on timers and motion detectors, and an air cooling system that sucks in cooler air overnight in place of a standard aircon system are all ways that this office was able to achieve its RICS Ska Rating.
The office creates geographical regions from around the world with an iceberg meeting room, rainforest open spaces, and a treehouse.
All photos credited to: Peldon Rose
Unity
Who: The global software company that creates a real-time 3D platform
Where: Brighton, South East
Why it’s cool: The design of this recently opened office really celebrates the character and vibrancy of Brighton. Their cafe, The Seagulls Rest, has a steampunk, seaside theme which is in keeping with its location. We particularly love the look of the relaxation room which allows staff to chill out on comfy sofas and play some board or video games.
All photos credited to: Alex Kendrick for M Moser Associates
Rapid7
Who: The US cyber-security firm
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Why it’s cool: Belfast is establishing itself as a cybersecurity hub, which is why Boston-based Rapid7 has launched its new office in the city, creating 150 new jobs.
The office feels like a trendy upmarket bar or hotel with an industrial style interior, cafe, bar, and library. What’s particularly cool is the “maker space” which features lego, 3D printers, and Raspberry Pis (a computer for learning programming) where staff will be able to play, make, and be creative.
All photos credited to: Rapid7
Gymshark
Who: Every Instagrammer’s favourite gym wear brand.
Where: Solihull, West Midlands
Why it’s cool: Gymshark is the brand that just keeps growing. The founder, Ben Francis, recently announced he was taking back over the role of CEO, after spending six years cycling through various high profile company roles like chief marketing officer and chief product officer as the business has gone from strength to strength.
With that, also comes the Gymshark Campus (GSHQ), which has an industrial style. The campus has full creative studios, areas to have photoshoots and even a podcasting studio. Aware of the impact of the pandemic, all meeting rooms are “zoom rooms” with ceiling mics to ensure that video conferencing is done with ease.
All photos credited to: Oktra
Ticketmaster
Who: The gateway to live experiences
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: Ticketmaster’s office in Angel has everything you’d expect from a big company that has a tech focus. Think ping pong tables, plenty of communal space and vibrantly decorated interiors.
What makes this cool is definitely the slide which bursts out into the reception area, adding an element of fun to this internationally recognised brand.
All photos credited to: Bernard Rose Photography for TSK Group
Itison
Who: The daily deals site for the north of England and Scotland.
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Why it’s cool: This is definitely one of the only offices we’ve found that has its own hot air balloon! Right in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, Itison offers an inspiring environment for its staff.
There is a giant tree that twinkles every time a new member joins the site which we think is a pretty incredible feature.
Not all play, the office also has a yoga studio and relaxing reading room to ensure that every employee’s wellbeing is looked after.
All photos credited to: Surface-id and Concept Metals Limited.
Wise
Who: The fintech company best known for helping you send and receive money from overseas
Where: London, South East
Why it’s cool: One word really, sauna. In a nod to the founder’s Estonian heritage, the East London office has its own sauna. We’re not sure how we’d feel about getting so up close and personal with our colleagues but employees say it’s something they regularly use to unwind and even house their meetings!
The offices at Wise, formerly Transferwise, also have everything you’d expect from a successful tech company such as a big communal space and ping pong tables, but we think the sauna really stands out.
All photos credited to: Thirdway
Moneypenny
Who: The UK’s leading provider of phone answering services
Where: Wrexham, Wales
Why it’s cool: Moneypenny provides businesses with their own receptionist team, so you wouldn’t necessarily expect them to have such a quirky office.
The offices are finished with a range of realistic animals including sheep and giraffes and there’s even a treehouse meeting room.
The space even has its own pub, The Dog and Bone, as well as spacious outside space, a roof terrace, not forgetting swings and a pond.
All photos credited to: Moneypenny
Feeling inspired?
Your work environment can have a huge impact on your day-to-day mood, so it’s worth looking for a workplace that suits you. Are we missing any really cool offices from the list? Let us know!
Read more: The most dog-friendly offices in the UK