Kings Cross Station is located on the edge of Central London and connects you to cities in the UK and all across Europe. Being one of the busiest railways in the United Kingdom, Kings Cross Station is booming with shops, restaurants, bars, and unique experiences you don’t want to miss out on. It offers a family fun atmosphere year-round, and attractions that are within walking distance in London. Here is your 2022 guide for the best experiences in Kings Cross Station.
Experience Kings Cross Station with Ease
Maybe you are waiting for your next train and have some time to kill, or your train got delayed at the last minute and you don’t want to just sit around for several hours. Explore Kings Cross Station and its fun atmosphere by storing your luggage in one location so you don’t have to haul it around with you every place you go. Here are the simple steps for luggage storage in Kings Cross Station:
- Find the Kings Cross luggage storage location online
- Book your spot at this location
- Drop off your luggage on your way to explore
- Enjoy all Kings Cross Station has to offer!
The Harry Potter 9 ¾ Platform
Calling all Harry Potter fans waiting to board their train in Kings Cross Station. From J.K Rowling’s best selling series, Harry Potter, there is an honorary Platform 9 ¾ located in St Pancras where the diehard fans can get a professional photo taken of them trying to wheel a luggage trolley through the brick walk to board the Hogwarts Express just like Harry and his friends did in the book series. You can even put on the famous gold and red scarf and get a snapped photo in mid-air as half of your bird cage and luggage are already through the wall. Next to the attraction is The Harry Potter Shop where you can enjoy the collection of wands, horcruxes, and games that you can buy and take home with you as a souvenir.
The Kings Cross Tunnel
Before you walk outside of Kings Cross Station, the Kings Cross Tunnel is a must walk-through on your way to local shops, restaurants, and attractions. This 90-meter tunnel features an art wall made of continuous LED lights leading you to Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard. It’s full of lighter, more pastel colors that give you a sense of calmness and ease as you make your way into the hustle and bustle of city life in London.
Granary Square
All right, you have now made it outside of Kings Cross Station and into the heart of the Kings Cross area. Granary Square is located along the Regent’s Canal where barges once unloaded their goods to sell to the city folk. Here you will find over 1,000 fountains that light up at night and plenty of space to sit and enjoy the choreographed show. Some things to enjoy in Granary Square are:
- Bars, cafes, and restaurants that have terraces, all-day drinking and dining, and easy quick bites to eat
- Festivals, Fashion Week shows, markets, and concerts are ongoing and dates are available on events calendars for Kings Cross
- Word on the Water is a 1920s bookstore barge floating in the canal featuring an array of books from new to old
Art in Kings Cross
You don’t want to miss out on the art and creativity displayed in Kings Cross. Although there are several works of art, use your time before your departure to take in some of the highlights of the art program in the area:
- The Outside Art Project is a large outdoor gallery space showcasing local, national, and international artists. It is year-round, always open, and always free for people to come and enjoy the unique styles and work of artists from all over the world. All of the art is displayed on 24 seater benches throughout Kings Cross’s open spaces.
- Semaphores is a display of three sculptures made by artist Amalia Pica. Semaphore stands for a code that was used in early telegraphy. Her goal was to represent the communication hubs and tech companies who work in code. The sculptures are in three different locations and at each one there is a semaphore alphabet so you can code and decode messages.
- My World and Your World is Eva Rothschild’s 16-meter-high steel sculpture. Her goal was to represent an inverted tree or lightning bolt that starts at a single point and as it descends it splits into many branches that sink into the ground. As it references the natural world, it is strong and fragile. You can nap, eat, and relax as you take in the beautiful sculpture
Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard is the hotspot for shopping and dining as you stroll down the cobbled streets and walk under the brick arches. There are more than 50 cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops to browse and spend some time in. It’s full of craftspeople who are well known and just getting started in the industry. A few shops from the long list are:
- Boutique by Shelter – a charity shop
- Earl of East – homewares and hand-poured candles
- Wolf & Badger – collections from independent designers
If you are looking for a diverse collection of cuisine, Coal Drops Yard has it all. There isn’t something you can’t find that suits your taste buds. Some restaurants here include:
- The Gas Station – all-day restaurant and beer garden right on the Regent’s Canal
- Caravan – a variety of food options and roasted coffee in an old grain store
- Coal Office – a restaurant with style and Middle Eastern dishes
There are even some other top spots such as the Happy Face, Barrafina, The Drop, Sons + Daughters, and German Gymnasium located in Coal Drops Yard offering you endless options of the eatery.
Time Well Spent in Kings Cross
Now you have everything you need in order to make the most of your time in Kings Cross Station. Don’t waste time waiting around for your train by just sitting with your luggage. Store your luggage in one location and hit the top places in King Cross Station with your 2022 Guide of the area.