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King’s Cross is one of London’s great transformation stories, a once-gritty railway district reborn as a buzzing quarter of squares, canals, culture and dining. For the visitor arriving by Eurostar or fast train, it is both a gateway to the city and a genuine destination in its own right.
Where is King's Cross and how to get there
King’s Cross sits on the northern edge of central London, anchored by two great stations side by side: King’s Cross and St Pancras International, the London terminus of the Eurostar. Between them they connect six Underground lines and fast trains to the north, making this one of the best-connected spots in the country.
What to see and do
The regenerated district behind the stations is the real surprise. Coal Drops Yard turns Victorian rail buildings into a stylish stretch of shops and restaurants, Granary Square dances with fountains beside the canal, and Gasholder Park frames the sky within a restored ironwork frame. The area is also home to the British Library and Central Saint Martins art school. Fans of a certain boy wizard head into King’s Cross station for the famous Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Eating and drinking
King’s Cross has become one of London’s better places to eat, from the restaurants of Coal Drops Yard to canal-side terraces and the original outpost of Dishoom. It makes an excellent first or last meal for anyone travelling through.
Good to know
Where is Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?
The Platform Nine and Three-Quarters photo spot, with its half-vanished luggage trolley, is inside King’s Cross station, next to the Harry Potter shop. It is free to see, though queues form for the trolley photo, especially at weekends.
Where to go next
Stroll south to Bloomsbury or east to Islington, or see all our London neighbourhood guides.
