Hidden inside Erith’s beautifully restored Grade II listed Old Library, The Exchange is one of those places that quietly surprises you. Part community hub, part craft workshops and part independent shop and coffee bar, it has become a focal point for creativity, conversation and local life in South East London.

Originally built in 1906 as Erith’s first public library, the striking red-brick building spent a decade standing empty before being brought back to life by The Exchange. Today, the historic space once again serves its community, albeit in a very different way. Visitors can volunteer in a workshop to learn new skills and make things for the community, explore the exhibition, use the space to work or meet up with friends, hire the space for private events, or simply relax and watch the building gently buzz around them.

The Shop & Coffee Bar is at the heart of it all. Bright, welcoming and overlooking a beautiful garden created by award-winning designer Sarah Price, and seen on BBC’s Gardeners’ World, it’s the sort of place that encourages you to stay longer than intended. Expect a warm welcome, excellent coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels a world away from the usual chains. In warmer months, the garden becomes one of Erith’s most enjoyable spots for a coffee outdoors.

Alongside the Coffee Bar, the Garden Room Shop showcases handcrafted products made in The Exchange’s workshops, from timber to textiles and ceramics, items made by local creatives, carefully selected gifts, homewares, books and sustainable brands. Throughout the year, community events bring the building to life, continuing the spirit of creativity and learning that inspired its original purpose more than a century ago.

Whether you’re visiting for coffee and cake, browsing the shop or looking for a unique day out in South East London, The Exchange is a hidden gem that proves community spaces can still be ambitious, beautiful and genuinely useful.