Making Tracks
King’s Cross might be famous as a gateway to a wizarding world, but with its leafy parks and shuffleboard showdowns, it provides a perfect day out, says Laura Sedlak.
The New King’s Cross
The area around King’s Cross was once industrial, underused and dominated by the cast-iron frames of its iconic gasholders. Now, thanks to one of London’s biggest and most ambitious urban regeneration projects, restored Victorian buildings house design-led stores, power comes from sustainable energy and people relax in public spaces such as Granary Square, Coal Drops Yard and Gasholder Park.
There are cultural institutions, galleries, natural spaces, fountains to splash in, shops and markets and incredible cafés and restaurants. It may be impossible to fit everything into a day, but this guide should make for a more memorable trip.
Make it a Muggle Morning
Start at The British Library, a short walk from King’s Cross Station. As the UK’s national library, it’s free and open to all, and with more than 13 million books, you could easily spend a lifetime exploring its shelves.
In the Treasures Gallery, see handwritten lyrics by The Beatles, Shakespeare’s First Folio, and even one of the original Magna Cartas. Little ones will love Story Explorers, an experience designed for families to discover the collections with a fun activity trail.
Next, cross to the station and step into the pages of everyone’s favourite wizarding story at the Harry Potter Shop King’s Cross. It’s hard not to smile at the sight of the famous trolley halfway embedded in the wall, and the line of Muggles waiting for their own photo op at Platform 9¾. The shop has everything a wizard could need, from magic wands to chocolate frogs.
Spend Mid-Morning Exploring
Head through the rainbow-coloured King’s Cross Light Tunnel to reach Camley Street Natural Park, a former coal yard that has been revitalised into an urban nature reserve alive with kingfishers, coots, frogs and newts. Wandering through the meadows, wetlands and woodland, it’s hard to believe you are next to one of the busiest rail interchanges in the country.
Bagley Walk is another hidden gem, an elevated park on an old railway viaduct that follows the curve of Regent’s Canal. Take in the views of Coal Drops Yard as you make your way to Gasholder Park. Here you’ll see one of the original Victorian gasholders, dismantled and renovated before being put back together piece by piece. It now encircles a lush lawn where office workers, students and children pause for a rest or to play.
If you fancy diving deeper into canal history, the London Canal Museum is housed nearby in a former ice warehouse. It explores the fascinating story of the city’s canals, the lives of the boat people and even the Italian ice trade that once thrived here.
Comfort Food for Lunch
Coal Drops Yard is the regenerated Victorian warehouse complex that now houses vintage shops, clothing and homeware stores, and delicious food options.
- Morty & Bob’s is an all-day eatery known for its grilled cheese sandwiches, pure comfort food.
- From Thursday to Sunday (and bank holidays), Lower Stable Street Market fills the space with stalls selling food, homewares, clothing, art, books and ’zines.
- Nearby, Canopy Market, once a hub for rail-borne produce, has been resurrected with fresh food, crafts, and street eats.
Enjoy a Cultural Afternoon
Fully sated, it’s time for more culture. Lightroom in Lewis Cubitt Square is an immersive arts venue exploring storytelling through art. Step back 66 million years in Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs (to 25 Jan).
For something calmer but still inspiring, Word on the Water – The London Bookbarge is a charming floating bookshop full of second-hand titles, poetry and new releases.
From 9–12 October, catch classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions at the London Piano Festival in Kings Place. At the same venue on 18 October, Classically Black celebrates Black composers and performers redefining the classical music space.
Plan an Evening of Fun
King’s Cross is packed with bars and restaurants to keep the fun going well into the night.
- Electric Shuffle: high-tech shuffleboard with replays, burgers, pizzas and craft cocktails (look out for the hidden disco toilet!).
- Supermax: a vermouth bar beneath Happy Face pizzeria, with aperitivo happy hour until 7pm and DJs late into the night.
- Cuban Salsa under the Kissing Roof: Wednesday evenings (to 29 Oct), with classes from 7pm and social dancing from 8pm.
- Free Outdoor Chess: also Wednesdays (to 29 Oct), from 6.30–9.30pm with music and a welcoming atmosphere.
