As one of the UK’s busiest railway stations, King’s Cross is equally famous for its interlocking transport lines, as well as its cultural institutions, shopping destinations and lively restaurants. Once a seedy red-light district with quite a colorful history, Queen Boudicca is said to be buried under Platform 8. – King’s Cross has undergone a significant transformation of late, making the station a must-see for anyone to visit London. Take a look at our guide to understand this frenetic and iconic railway station.
Story
Named after a now demolished statue of King George IV, King’s Cross Station was built on top of a children’s hospital for smallpox and fever, the area that serves as the inspiration for Charles Dickens ‘classic tale’ Oliver Twist ‘. First opened to passengers in 1852, it was designed as a simple and functional transportation service, but it quickly began to decline due to increased rail traffic in the 19th century. Despite being the largest station in England, overcrowding led to the opening of the original eight platforms (some of which were intended for train storage), plus three new ones, which didn’t really help much as demand continued. increasing.
In 2002, a £ 2.5 billion remodel saw its complete restoration, including the addition of the new ‘0’ deck to meet the station’s continued growth.
Rail services at King’s Cross
Today King’s Cross has expanded to include St. Pancras International and King’s Cross St. Pancras tube stations. In addition to the original Great Northern, it now operates several more train services, including the Grand Central, Hull and London North Eastern railways. Intercity services terminate on platforms 1-8, suburban and regional services on platforms 9, 10 and 11, and the St. Pancras International high-speed train, Eurostar, goes directly to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Meanwhile, King’s Cross Tube Station connects to six other lines, including Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria.
Location and how to get there
Because King’s Cross is the best-connected transportation hub in the country, getting to and from the station is very easy. Located in central London on Euston Road (Zone 1), it has direct tube connections to five international airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, all within an hour. There are also 14 bus routes located in front of the station on Euston Road, or you can take a taxi from the taxi rank on St. Pancras Road. There are plenty of customer help points throughout the station as well, in case you need help finding ATMs, ticket vending machines, or even toilets, showers, and luggage lockers.
Restaurants and bars near King’s Cross
Just about anything you want, from fine dining to quirky eateries, is available in the vicinity, depending on how much time you have. If you’re just looking for a quick bite, you can grab a hot toast or sandwich from Cafe Nero, Pret A Manger, or Costa, or for a hearty meal, order the spicy Mexican chicken at Benito’s Hat or try the modern British plum + milk menu. spilled. To ‘wet the whistle’, grab a glass of Champagne at Searcy’s Champagne Bar on the top deck of St. Pancras Station, or if you’d rather venture outside, head to Granary Square for vegan, vegetarian and world cuisine by Itadaki Zen and Foodilic.
Harry Potter and the King’s Cross
Did we mention there is a Harry Potter shop? Not only does King’s Cross Station have an entire store dedicated to the coolest boy wizard, but it is also home to Platform 9 ¾, which attracts tons of kids and adults on a daily basis. Located just outside the store, you’ll know it by the luggage cart embedded in a brick wall, so don’t miss a chance to snap a golden photo before saying goodbye to King’s Cross station!
Shopping at King’s Cross
Whether it’s last minute gifts or proper retail therapy, King’s Cross Station is home to stores like Waitrose, Bonds. King Cross, Emin & Paul, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, Miller Harris and of course the Harry Potter shop. Be sure to visit the quirky Chalton Street Market across the street for trendy clothes, fabrics, and fresh fruits and vegetables, or you can visit King’s Boulevard for designer brands like Jigsaw, Sweaty Betty, and Nike Central.
Hotels near King’s Cross
There are plenty of affordable, high-end accommodation in the area, with prices averaging £ 40- £ 70 for Victorian-style Bed & Breakfasts and £ 100- £ 200 for fancier rooms and apartments. If you don’t mind sharing space, you can find a hostel for just £ 12 a night; otherwise you’ll find streets of countless B&B around Argyle Gardens and more luxury accommodations near Euston.
Things to do nearby
Do you have time to kill in the area? King’s Cross and the surrounding streets are full of things to do. Stop by the British Library on Euston Road to see the Magna Carta, Jane Austin’s notebook, and the original lyrics of The Beatles, then head to the British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone and more than seven million other ancient objects from around the world. . Dickens fans can see the author’s restored Victorian home on Doughty Street, where classics like ‘Oliver Twist’ came to life, while other attractions include the Foundling Museum, the Regent Canal, and the lush Grade II Gardens in Russell Square.
