Top 10 Things to Do Near King’s Cross, London

Date post added: 4th December 2024

You may well have raced through King’s Cross en route to somewhere else. It’s a major transport hub linking London to destinations across the United Kingdom by rail, and Europe via Eurostar. But there’s so much more to King’s Cross than trains.

In recent years, the King’s Cross area has had a major revamp. What was once a slightly seedy and grubby, industrial part of the city, is now rather smart and inviting. You’ll find everything from champagne bars to street food, boutique shopping to cultural hotspots. And don’t forget the natural landmarks in the area – from lesser-known green spaces to the remarkable Regent’s Canal.

In this blog, we’ll share some of the highlights of the King’s Cross area. It’s a destination in its own right, not just a train station to somewhere else.

Old v new look King’s Cross

To truly appreciate the area’s transformation, it’s helpful to see what it was before.

19th Century – when the Regents Canal was completed in 1820, King’s Cross was linked to the industrial north, bringing both goods and industry to the area. When the railways came in the 1880s, King’s Cross became an important industrial and transport hub with coal, grain, potatoes and other commodities being transported here.

20th Century – post World War II, the area declined. By the late 20th century, it was pretty derelict except for an influx of 90s clubbers. It was synonymous with nightlife, quirky artists and high crime rates.

21st Century – when the Eurostar hub was moved from Waterloo to St Pancras station, it was the start of things to come. Development started in 2008, especially around the Victorian goods yards.

In 2011, the University of the Arts, London moved to the new development. So the Granary Building in Granary Square is now the campus of Central St Martin’s, which is part of the University of the Arts. What was once a granary and industrial building with space for wagons outside, is now a destination for fashion catwalk parades.

In 2018, the totally redeveloped Coal Drops Yard opened as a unique shopping destination. Tech companies like Google and Facebook chose it as their British HQ. It’s injected new life and a vibrant, creative energy to the area.

“The perfect mix of grittiness and shininess, simultaneously a symbol of London’s industrial and engineering past and the creative present,” Edwin Heathcote in the Financial Times.

10 things to do in and around King’s Cross

If you’re tempted to head to the Cross to see what it’s all about, we urge you to do so. These are our top suggestions of things to do and places to go around King’s Cross.

1. Sample international street food

Can you be a fashionable destination without offering street food? That’s a no. Right in the heart of Kings Cross, the aforementioned and super cool Coal Drops Yard is known for its delectable street food.

Once a month, Shotengai Market brings Pan Asian street food to Coal Drops Yard. You’ll find amazing Japanese food at reasonable prices. Open Friday to Sunday, Canopy Market is a wonderful open-air market with artisan products from amazing breads to desserts and beer. It’s particularly good for tasty vegan and plant-based dishes.

Beyond street food, there’s a wealth of great, international cafes and restaurants. The Coal Office is more swanky than street food, but its Middle Eastern dishes are so delicious you’ll be glad you took the time to bag a table. If you’re a fan of a sausage or schnitzel, head to the German Gymnasium (yes, it actually is an old gym – England’s first purpose-built gymnasium!). There’s the King’s Cross branch of Barrafina, a Michelin-starred Spanish tapas bar. For Mexican, you’ll find innovative and delectable dishes at Casa Pastor.

2. Drink in the view

Grab a coffee in a canalside cafe, or a glass of fizz in a spectacular rooftop bar.

The Lighterman, on the eastern side of Granary Square, is a gastropub with panoramic views from three floors. Sit back with a craft beer and watch the world go by.

From the mezzanine level of St Pancras International Station, Searcy’s is a legendary Champagne bar. At 98 metres long, it’s incredibly impressive and Europe’s longest Champagne bar. Perch at the bar with your glass of Champagne, or afternoon tea, and indulge in some brilliant people-watching before you catch the 18.01 Eurostar to Paris.

On the 11th floor of The Standard Hotel is a cool New York-themed rooftop bar, complete with a hot dog cart. It’s an excellent cocktail bar with fantastic views over the city and the St Pancras clock tower.

From a rooftop bar to an underground cocktail bar. the Hokus Pokus – Alchemy Lab is located underneath the Megaro Hotel. It’s a truly magical King’s Cross cocktail bar that looks like a Victorian science lab and apothecary.

3. Follow Harry Potter’s footsteps

You can’t really talk about King’s Cross station without mentioning Harry Potter and friends. As you wander around the train station, you can’t miss Harry Potter fans looking for platform 9 3/4 to take them to Hogwarts. They won’t find it. Sorry for the spoiler, but it doesn’t actually exist except at the Warner Bros studio tour.

The best you’ll get is recreating the memorable scene by pretending to push a luggage trolley through a wall. Said luggage trolley is conveniently placed outside the Harry Potter shop. You’ll have to pay for your photo with the trolley and queue for the pleasure. But the Harry Potter shop is bursting with film and book merch, so you can buy yourself a wand, a scarf and all sorts of magical paraphernalia.

4. Look out for Victorian architecture

It’s easy to race into St Pancras station and check the live departures information to check you’re not going to miss your train. But you’re doing a disservice to this magnificent example of Victorian architecture. Stop to look up at the towering glass ceiling overhead and the detailed red brick facade. It’s really something.

Then there’s the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel which opened in 1873. It’s another wonderful example for fans of Victorian architecture. It was also the destination for The Spice Girls’ music video for Wannabe!

5. Enjoy arts and cultural activities

The British Library: This important and fascinating venue on Euston Road holds some of the most famous written and printed works in the world. Think The Gutenberg Bible, drafts of the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s works and The Beatles’ lyrics.

It has over 150 million items in its ever-expanding collection. There are interesting exhibits to visit in the John Ritblat Gallery, or simply go and browse.

London Canal Museum: Look inside a narrowboat and hear tales of the people who have lived and worked on the canals. You’ll discover the wonderful history of London’s waterways.

The Canal Museum building is interesting in itself. It was originally Carlo Gatti’s Ice Warehouse. His pioneering role in promoting ice cream in London is celebrated with ice cream making sessions at the museum.

Wellcome Collection: This is an endlessly fascinating collection of literature and artwork. Sir Henry Wellcome was a pioneering pharmacist in the 19th century and his array of medical implements and curiosities are on display here. Some are grisly, some are jaw-dropping.

This must-visit museum on Euston Road comprises two galleries and a beautiful reading room. Look out for expert talks and events here.

6. Wander beside Regent’s Canal

Regent’s Canal is a gateway to other parts of London, with paths leading towards Camden in the west and Islington in the east. And wandering along the towpath gives you a totally different perspective of London. Forget buses, taxis and trains, this is a London of tunnels and bridges, narrowboats and locks.

You must visit Word on the Water floating bookshop. Yes, you read that right! It’s London’s only floating bookshop. Set on a restored 1920s Dutch barge, it’s packed with affordable books and hosts the odd live poetry event on its roof too.

7. Take a guided walk

If you want to find the hidden gems and learn the secrets of the area, join us on a London Walk from King’s Cross. We’ll tell you when to look up and notice beautiful architecture or trapdoors in the ceiling, and when to glance down and take in the wagon turntables.

What’s more, our canal walk guides have many years’ experience exploring the inland waterways by narrowboat. They have so many stories from their time navigating the canals. You’ll get amazing insights like no other. Join us for the Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross – Granary Square – St Pancras walk, or our Regent’s Canal walk from King’s Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney.

8. Hit the shops

The relatively new Coal Drops Yard has become a go-to destination for on-trend shopping. With more than 100 shops to explore, Coal Drops Yard boasts an eclectic mix of independent stores, hair and beauty salons and familiar brands.

Canopy market is more of a bustling, eclectic shopping experience. It’s a heady mix of farmers’ market, space for creative artisans and a craft beer zone. It’s a weekend destination for something less ordinary.

9. Find some green space

London does pockets of green space so well. Be it a vast royal park or a small secret garden, there’s a surprising amount of green space around the city and King’s Cross is no exception. There’s Camley Street natural park which was created from a former coal yard in the 1980s. Run by London Wildlife Trust, the park on the banks of Regent’s Canal features two acres of wild green space in the middle of one of the most densely populated parts of London.

Just along the towpath from Granary Square you’ll find a small green space called Gasholder Park. The notable feature is the wrought iron structures that frame the park. These iron gasholders used to dominate the King’s Cross skyline, containing 1.1 million cubic feet of gas. They were dismantled, upcycled and used to great decorative effect.

Don’t miss Bagley Walk too. Built on top of an old railway viaduct, the walk follows the shape of Regent’s Canal, offering views towards many of King’s Cross landmarks.

10. See live music gigs

King’s Cross is a good place to catch bands on the cusp of impending stardom.

Lafayette is a brand new, 600-seater music venue hosting regular live gigs. It’s well worth a look at their line up as you can get tickets for as little as £15. No dynamic pricing there!

Once a Picturehouse and a concert hall, Scala is the place to party. It holds big club nights as well as live music events across its four floors.

During the summer months, an array of outdoor events are held in Granary Square. Sit back on the steps with a picnic and enjoy live music al fresco.

Walk the walk and talk the talk around King’s Cross with us

We have amazing London Walks guides who know this area and its history inside out. You won’t just learn facts about King’s Cross, you’ll get a true feel for the place and how it’s evolved.

We run two different Regent’s Canal Walks every month. Normally, they’re at 2.30 pm on the first and third Sunday of each month. Look out for special canal walks too.