King's Cross
Camden, London, Greater London, N1
When Londoners say “King’s Cross,” they could mean the neighborhood or the station. But if they’re in the neighborhood, it’s likely they’re there for the station. Most visitors come to catch a train up north or even abroad, taking a Eurostar service from neighboring St. Pancras station to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam. After a huge regeneration project, the neighborhood is now a nice place to kill time, with restaurants, fountains, and pop-up attractions.
The basics
King’s Cross station was built in 1852 for the Great Northern Railway at the time of huge rail expansion in the UK. With arched glass windows and a modern restoration that includes a huge white net-like roof over the concourse built by John McAslan + Partners, the station is architecturally impressive and worth a visit even if you don’t have a train to catch.
The area around the station was once famous for its seedy reputation, but a multimillion-dollar investment program has transformed the district in recent years and now you’ll find sleek cafés, stylish stores, and excellent restaurants. The station became famous around the world when it was featured in the Harry Potter books as the departure point for trains to Hogwarts. Harry Potter tours, taking visitors to see Platform 9 ¾, are now very popular with tourists.
Things to know before you go
- The station is wheelchair accessible.
- Luggage storage lockers can be rented at the station.
- A Harry Potter souvenir shop can be found on site.
How to get there
King’s Cross station is located on Euston Road in north Central London. It is served by taxi, Tube at the King’s Cross St. Pancras stop (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines), and by multiple buses, including number 91 from Trafalgar Square and number 390 from Hyde Park. Guided tours with transport included visit the station frequently. Hop-on-hop-off buses also stop at King’s Cross.
When to get there
King’s Cross ticket offices are open from very early in the morning until after midnight. Shops and restaurants in the surrounding area and within the station concourse have variable opening hours.
Visit the British Library
Home to more than 150 million books and periodicals, many of which are first editions and rare titles, the British Library is a must-visit for any book lover. It contains a copy of every book, newspaper, and magazine printed in the UK and Ireland. In the center of the library is the 6-story “King’s Column” filled with volumes from King George III’s personal library.
Ways to explore
King’s Cross station is an attraction for Harry Potter fans who want to visit Platform 9¾, where Harry dashes through the wall to catch the Hogwarts Express. Muggles can recreate the magic with photos snapped on their own phone (free) or buy ones from a professional photographer.
Harry Potter sightseeing tours often visit King’s Cross, along with hop-on hop-off bus tours. To learn about the neighborhood’s social history, explore with a local guide who’s experienced homelessness. These not-for-profit tours visit once-neglected neighborhoods. If it’s sunny and you have young kids, pack bathing suits so they can run through the fountains at Granary Square.
Accessibility
Most of King’s Cross is wheelchair accessible, with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
Age limits
None
What to pack
A secure bag, credit card, train tickets, passport (if using Eurostar)
What to wear
Comfortable shoes for walking
Not allowed
Open alcohol containers
Amenities
Bike parking, ATMs, restaurants, restrooms, shops, Welcome Hub for information and lost property
Address
King’s Cross is a central-north London neighborhood, just south of Camden and Islington. It’s close to the London transport hubs of St. Pancras and Euston.
Driving
You need to pay the London Congestion Charge and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) fee. Parking is available for up to 24 hours at the St. Pancras International parking lot and the Handyside Car Park. The nearby NCP lot on Judd Street offers longer-term parking.
Public transportation
King’s Cross is one of London’s best-connected transport hubs. Reach Kings Cross & St. Pancras International underground station via the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, and Thameslink lines. Or, take the overground trains to King’s Cross or St. Pancras station, or several buses from central London.
Best times to visit
If possible, avoid the midweek commuter rush hour. Fewer people use the station between 9am and 5pm or after 6:30pm.
Best days to visit
Weekends are usually quieter. There are fewer trains and less frequent services on Sunday. For Harry Potter photos, come early on a weekday morning to avoid long lines.
Best months to visit
Like most of London, King’s Cross is busier in summer, especially August. However, summer offers more opportunities for outdoor eating before catching a train, and you can cool down in the Granary Square fountains.
Special events
Art exhibitions and outdoor events include boules games, family-friendly trails, open-air cinema, and wine car boot sales from May to September.
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