Visit Us

Our café Bench at the Goldsmiths’ Centre is a great place to eat, meet and relax in the heart of Clerkenwell. Whether you need a speciality coffee to go or a cosy spot to enjoy your lunch or a glass of wine after work, we’re always here to welcome you.

Opening times.

Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.

We will be closed from 21 December 2024 and reopen on 6 January 2025. 

E: benchcafe@companyofcooks.com

Please note that we only take cashless payments.

How to get here

We are located a 3-minute walk from Farringdon station on the corner of Britton Street, Albion Place and Benjamin Street. 

By tube The nearest underground station is Farringdon. 
By train

The Elizabeth Line services run from Paddington (to Heathrow and Reading), Abbey Wood and Liverpool Street (to Shenfield).    

Mainline rail services (City Thameslink and Southern Trains) run from Brighton, Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, London Bridge, London Blackfriars, Sutton, Wimbledon, London St Pancras International, St Albans City, Luton and Bedford to Farringdon. 

By bus 

Buses 63, 55 and 243 pass near the Goldsmiths’ Centre. 

63 – King’s Cross, Farringdon Station – Honor Oak 

55 – Oxford Circus – Clerkenwell Road – Leyton Baker’s Arms

243 – Waterloo – Clerkenwell Road – Wood Green 

By car Please note that there is limited parking around Farringdon tube station and there is no parking at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. Paid parking is sited at 14 St Cross Street, EC1M 3JY.

For more information to help you plan your journey, visit National Rail Enquiries and/or the Transport for London Journey Planner website.
 

FAQs

Please note that we are closed from 23 December from 1pm to 3 January. 

Bench offers a delicious selection of hand selected wines from around the world, which you can enjoy with a sharing platter after work.  

Bench is mostly a walk-in café. All are welcome, any time, no reservations needed.  

Our outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to sit in warmer weather.  

Bench is a step-free venue. You can access Bench and our terrace through the main doors to the Goldsmiths’ Centre.  

Dogs are always welcome outside on our terrace. Please keep your dog on a lead and do not leave your dog unattended. We allow a maximum of four dogs at Bench at a time.  

If you have intolerances or allergies, please make sure that you speak to our Bench team to check what is in each dish. Our chef will let you know which ingredients have been used in each recipe.    

Our toilets are located off the Goldsmiths’ Centre Atrium, which have baby changing facilities. We also offer highchairs for babies and toddlers.  

Contact our Bench Team

Got a question for our team at Bench? Just fill in this form outlining your enquiry and our team will be in touch shortly.