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Located in the borough of Camden in central London, the King’s Cross Station is a passenger railway station that serves locations in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Established in 1852, it is one of the biggest stations in the UK and is among the primary entry points to London. This bustling place is also one of the UK’s busiest terminals.
Every year, King’s Cross welcomes around 97 million travelers passing through the station.
Apart from being one of London’s biggest transport hubs, the station and the area around it have also become somewhat of a tourist hotspot in recent years.
The terminal’s central location makes it the perfect starting point for travelers exploring London and several popular attractions and landmarks are just a short distance from King’s Cross.
Finding yourself at King’s Cross Station? Plenty of activities await near the renowned train station and we’ve come up with this list of attractions not to miss!
For an even more memorable experience without any hassle, don’t lug your belongings along.
Look for a luggage locker near King’s Cross Station where you can safely store your bags before you wander off to see the terrific sights.
The British Library
Located along Euston Road, just a stone’s throw away from King’s Cross, the British Library is one of the must-visit places in the area, especially for bookworms and literature lovers.
Accessible to the public for free, the British Library is the UK’s national library and a major research facility with approximately 200 million items in its permanent collection.
One of the highlights here is the King’s Library, which is a tall glass tower kept in a temperature-controlled room and houses literary works, original manuscripts and historic books.
The British Library’s impressive collection includes the Magna Carta, handwritten lyrics of The Beatles’ songs and works by notable authors such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Lewis Caroll and Thomas Malory.
Additionally, the library has a permanent exhibition and regularly hosts rotating exhibits and themed events throughout the year.
Platform 9 ¾
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If you are a Harry Potter fan, you’ll be delighted to know that King’s Cross Station is home to one of the most iconic places in the film – Platform 9 ¾.
According to J.K. Rowling’s book, the fictitious location serves as the portal that leads to the wizarding world of Hogwarts.
In the film, the scenes involving Platform 9 ¾ were shot at King’s Cross and have since become a major part of pop culture.
Today, the actual platform where the scenes were shot now features a trolley stuck in the wall where Potterheads flock in order to take photos or get a professional photographer on standby to do it.
Right next door is the Harry Potter shop, where you can purchase your image and check out other Harry Potter memorabilia.
Granary Square
Found in the heart of King’s Cross is Granary Square, which is arguably the most popular attraction in the area and frequented by both Londoners and tourists.
Situated by the banks of Regent’s Canal and a mere 6-minute stroll from the station, the open-air space is a hub for activity and features several trendy establishments and restaurants.
While hundreds of people come to Granary Square every day to eat and drink, the area’s main draw is, without a doubt, the 1,080 choreographed fountains that dance to the rhythm.
Enjoyed by onlookers of all ages, the fountains even look better at night as the display is accompanied by a light show and appears even more animated.
As well, Granary Square hosts a range of fun special activities every year.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
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One of London’s most historic hotels, the iconic St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a true architectural marvel and a noteworthy spot to visit when in King’s Cross.
Opened in 1873, the hotel is often hailed as the most romantic building in London; the Gothic Revival building features intricate metalwork, hand-stenciled wall designs and golden ceilings.
The St. Pancras offers five-star accommodations with first-class amenities. Even if you’re not a staying guest, you can still visit the hotel to dine and wine at their on-site restaurant and bar.
Coal Drops Yard
Opened in 2018, Coal Drops Yard is one of the most recent developments around the King’s Cross Station and is the perfect spot to spend time between your travels.
Approximately a 10-minute walk from the train station, this privately-owned commercial space is lined with over 50 restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques where you can hang out, eat, drink and shop.
Camley Street Natural Park
If you want to get away from the busy and fast-paced atmosphere of King’s Cross without venturing too far, a visit to the Camley Street Natural Park is precisely what you need.
Located across Coal Drops Yard, the two-acre park is just a stone’s throw away from the station and can be reached within 5 minutes on foot. The park is also free of charge.
At Camley Street Natural Park, visitors can check out a wide variety of wildlife while strolling through the lush greenery or relax by the pond and enjoy the peaceful environment.
Before heading back to King’s Cross, don’t forget to stop over at the Kingfisher Café, a newly-established coffee shop located within the park.
Wellcome Collection
Established in 2007, the Wellcome Collection is dubbed a destination for the “incurably curious” because of its eclectic collection of works and literature related to health and medicine.
Founded by Sir Henry Wellcome, a prominent explorer and traveler, the facility features a permanent collection that was amassed by Wellcome throughout his lifetime, including books, artifacts and artworks that have relevance in the medical world.
The Wellcome Collection also hosts workshops, temporary exhibitions and other events related to medicine and science. Be sure to stop here!
Have you ever visited any of these attractions near to King's Cross Station in London? Are you excited to plan a trip? Let me know!
Love, Sarah
xoxoxo
Sources:
https://www.kingscross.co.uk/see-and-do
https://www.klook.com/blog/things-to-do-st-pancras-kings-cross-london/
https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/london-areas/kings-cross
https://luxurycolumnist.com/top-kings-cross-attractions/
