Calling all makers and tinkerers! Would you like to know all about London makerspaces? Here’s all the practical information you need to find your nearest makerspace and decide if it’s right for you.

What’s a makerspace?

Short answer: a makerspace is an open access community workshop. They are often run by volunteers, although some of them are run by a charity, and some of them are commercial enterprises.

Slightly longer answer: a makerspace is a collaborative workspace equipped with tools and materials for individuals to create, innovate, and learn through hands-on projects in areas such as electronics, woodworking, 3D printing, and crafting.

Is a makerspace the same thing as a hackspace?

Makerspaces are sometimes also called hackspaces, although the two terms are not fully interchangeable, even if the boundaries between the two are somewhat blurred.

Makerspaces have their roots in the maker movement and tend to cover a wider range of activities than hackspaces. Makerspaces are about making, and experimenting, and being hand-on with materials. Typical makerspace tools would be 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, sewing machines, and soldering stations. Some have silk screen printing facilities, too.

Hackspaces on the other hand are often more focused on computers and technology. The original meaning of hacking was a reference to creative problem-solving in programming or electronics…well, that and breaking into proprietary computer networks… but nowadays, the term is used (and sometimes misused) much more widely.

Makerspaces are great! They provide access to expensive or specialized tools, they provide hands-on opportunities for learning and skills development, and they can help foster a community. They might even serve as incubators for entrepreneurship, and even if they don’t, they encourage innovation and creativity.

How many makerspaces are there in London?

London is blessed with several makerspaces, although several have also closed their doors over the past few years, unfortunately. So I figured it was worth having an up-to-date list of the remaining ones. If you know of one that’s not listed, let me know, and I’ll add it!

And if you’d like to check out makerspaces all over the UK, the Hackspace Foundation site is a brilliant resource.

London Makerspaces: the list

Here are all the current makerspaces in London at the time of writing. Please note that I haven’t included studio spaces you can rent, or co-working spaces, even when they include shared facilities. Another list for another day, maybe.

Click on the name to go to the makerspace homepage, the links for equipment and membership costs will take you to the relevant page on the makerspace website, if the information is available.

Click on the address to go to the Google Maps location.

Honorary London Makerspace: Reading rLab

Yes, I know Reading is not in London, but it’s at the end of the Elizabeth Line, so it’s less than one hour from Paddington, and it does feel you’re taking the tube, even if the Elizabeth Line is not a Tube line.

Name: rLab

Website: https://rlab.org.uk/

Address: Unit C1, Reading Small Business Centre, Weldale Street READING RG1 7BX

Nearest Public Transport: Reading station (BR, Elizabeth Line}

Facilities: https://wiki.rlab.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page#Our_resources

Membership Cost: £25/ month

Membership page: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ReadingMakerspaceLimited/RLABReadingMakerspaceTourAndSignup

rLab on Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SNvgLE3hp4mW8Dbe9

Have fun with your makes!

And if photography is more your thing… have a look at this list of London photography clubs (there’s a map, too).