London King’s Cross
Made famous as the home of Harry Potter’s platform 9¾, London King’s Cross is one of the main gateways to the capital – but there’s more to the King’s Cross area than just a train station.
If you’re heading into London King’s Cross, chances are you’re there to explore the wider city of London. There is, however, plenty going on in the area itself, with new developments and refurbishments making King’s Cross days out a thing in their own right.
The good thing about a trip to King’s Cross is you’ll be hard pressed to find a better-connected station in the country. With direct services arriving into the city from the likes of Stevenage, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City in well under an hour, a day trip to London is quick, cheap and easy with Great Northern trains.
Getting to London King’s Cross
When it comes to getting to London King’s Cross, our trains are by far the most practical option. For one, we all know driving into London tends to come with an awful lot of hassle, plus you’ll be able to get to King’s Cross quickly, and likely directly, from any station along our routes. On average 35 minutes from Welwyn Garden City, 40 minutes from Stevenage and 70 minutes from Cambridge and Peterborough – our service makes a visit to the capital easy.
Don’t forget there are lots of ways to make your journey even cheaper. Search for Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak routes to make savings on your fare or use your Railcard to get 1/3 off your travel with us. If you’re enjoying a big day out with friends, GroupSave can offer great discounts on group bookings of 3-9 adults. If it’s a family trip to London, see if you can find a service where the kids can travel for just £2.
Things to do in London King’s Cross
You may well be arriving at King’s Cross to start your adventure in London. In that case Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the rest of the classic capital destinations await. If you fancy sticking around, however, you’ll find there are lots of great things to do in King’s Cross itself, as the area develops to be more and more tourist friendly.
Brand new as of October 2018, Coal Drops Yard is an effortlessly cool shopping district based in the heart of King’s Cross. Home to a selection of highly regarded independent boutiques, signature brands and awesome eateries scattered among the cobbled streets, Coal Drops Yard is the perfect alternative shopping day. For fashionistas, the world-famous Central Saint Martins art college has areas open for public viewing. Previous alumni include Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Jarvis Cocker.
If you’re looking for a bit of fresh air, try Gasholder Park for a unique experience. Set inside a converted gasholder guide frame beside the Regent’s Canal, the park offers a small area of natural space with the cast iron frame as a stand out feature. You can also head to Camley Street Natural Park (reopening early 2020), run by the London Wildlife Trust, and experience a bit of nature in the city. On a sunny day (or not), the kids will love to splash about in the fountains at Granary Square.
King’s Cross days out can also feature a trip to Lethaby Gallery or the House of Illustration, or a visit to the Platform Theatre at Central Saint Martins to see a distinctive public performance from the college. Finally, for the Harry Potter fans out there, you can of course get your photo at Platform 9¾ in the station itself.
For more information on things to do in London King’s Cross, visit the official website where you can take a look at all the area’s visitor attractions. As for getting to King’s Cross, our services allow you to come and go as and when you please – so whether you’re visiting for the traditional London experience or to experience the burgeoning King’s Cross area itself, we’re your best bet for a simple and reliable journey.