An extraordinary part of London The Visitor Centre WCs Our friendly Visitor Centre Public WCs and baby changing is taking shape will help you make the most facilities can be found at of your visit to King’s Cross. Granary Square. King’s Cross is one of the largest and most exciting You can find out what to see and do, learn about the history What’s On redevelopments in Europe. After 150 years of industrial of the area, and see how the There’s always something use, the area to the north of the King’s Cross and St development will unfold over happening at King’s Cross. Pancras stations is being transformed into a vibrant the coming years. There’s an Pick up our events leaflet new city quarter. amazing interactive model Stories at the Visitor Centre to explore, photo displays or check online at: and all kinds of information www.kingscross.co.uk/stories. King’s Cross has a rich and varied history and the mix and goodies. of the old and the new here gives the area unique See the fountains character. Historic buildings are being preserved The King’s Cross Visitor Centre The choreographed fountains is now located in the Western at Granary Square are not and restored and complemented by contemporary Transit Shed on Stable Street. to be missed. There are over architecture. These buildings are set within a 1,000 of them, each individually framework of new parks, squares and streets. Guided Tours controlled and lit. You can Our Visitor Centre runs free experience them daily from guided tours of the area. 7.45am – 11.30pm, although This is an exciting new part of London - Book your slot at they’re at their most a place for everyone to experience and enjoy. www.kingscross.co.uk/tours. spectacular at night. Take the walking tour and discover King’s Cross. The King’s Cross St Pancras Getting here Business Partnership also offer Getting to and from King’s free themed walking tours of Cross couldn’t be easier, it’s the King’s Cross in numbers the area. Pick up a programme most connected transport hub 67 acres at the Visitor Centre, or in London. learn more at: 50 new buildings www.kingscrossandstpancras. Tube: Circle, Piccadilly, 2,000 new homes com/walking-tours. Hammersmith & City, Northern, 20 new streets Booking is essential. Metropolitan and Victoria lines 10 new public squares all serve King’s Cross Free WiFi 8 million square feet National Rail: King’s Cross 26 acres of public space At King’s Cross WiFi is free to everyone. All the time. Up to and St Pancras International 45,000 people 5Mbps access. Log on to mainline stations, Euston is The Cloud. 500 metres along Euston Road. Bus: Routes 10, 17, 30, 45, 46, @kingscrossN1C Viewing Platform For further information: At the top of King’s Boulevard, 59, 63, 73, 91, 205, 214, 259, 390 and 476. facebook.com/kingscrosscouk you’ll find the viewing platform. King’s Cross Visitor Centre Climb up for a bird’s eye view Western Transit Shed vimeo.com/kingscrosscouk of the development. There are Bike: There are three Barclays 11 Stable Street panoramic illustrations to help Cycle Hire docking station in London N1C 4AB see what’s what. the area. For details visit: www.kingscross.co.uk www.kingscross.co.uk/transport www.kingscross.co.uk @kingscrossN1C meanders the through park from a children’s play area. area. play water rill which water beautifully landscaped, with sit and a to places The gardens are are gardens The railway embankments. railway by the growth found on found the growth by This new park, designed by park, designed by new This by is inspired Dan Pearson, and present. – past the railway the geometry follows The sidings the railway of pattern the site, through ran once that while the planting is inspired On the banks of Regent’s On the banks of Regent’s Canal, this urban nature both for is a haven reserve the Run by people and wildlife. the park Trust, Wildlife London an old Coal from created was wild green in 1984. The Yard a sanctuary provides space and bats butterflies, birds, for It’s of plant life. a wide variety an oasis of calm right in the middle of the city. One of London’s best- One of London’s this nine mile secrets, kept winds its way waterway Thames the River quietly from the Limehouse Basin to at Little Union Canal at Grand the colourful Watch Venice. the from narrowboats Granary at canalside steps along the stroll or Square Camden banks towards or . The gasholders have been a been gasholders have The Cross of the King’s feature Today, 150 years. over for skyline they hold, gas to without any a whole new being put to are iron cast decorative The use. 8 has of Gasholder No. frame and restored been painstakingly home north of a new to moved house a it will the canal. Here leading down park with paths Canal. Regent’s to Designed by Edward Gruning Edward Designed by the German in 1864 for the this was Society, Gymnastics purpose-built gymnasium first of its kind in England. It was National the first for the venue Olympic Games in 1866 and was of influential in the development beautiful, The British athletics. building is II listed Grade while it under wraps currently is restored. One of London’s best loved loved best One of London’s station Pancras landmarks, St opened in 1868 as the London of the Midland Railway. terminus Barlow William designed the train shed while the the for architect George was hotel The Gilbert Scott. and station hotel threatened were with demolition in the 1960s but by saved were preservationist campaigners led the poet by John Betjeman. The parks and squares at King’s Cross Cross King’s at parks and squares The and in all shapes and sizes come right that’s can find a space everyone quiet, leafy corners From them. for people to of wildlife, with views square. in a bustling watching King’s Cross has a rich and a rich and has Cross King’s at location It’s past. colourful canal of road, the meeting point has shaped its history, and rail in seen today and this can be and the layout the old buildings a taste. Here’s of the streets. Named after the Roman martyr the Roman Named after is the church Saint Pancras, be one to many by believed of Christian sites of the oldest The Northern Europe. in worship features churchyard peaceful Soane’s Sir John architect the for Mausoleum – inspiration box. telephone red iconic Built in 1852, King’s Cross station station Cross King’s Built in 1852, the hub of the London was and the Northern Railway Great main Coast of the East terminus Cubitt, Lewis Designed by line. word last the the time it was at The in functional modernity. structure, beautiful Victorian long hidden behind a modern been revealed. now has façade, This is a community garden garden is a community This It moveable. – it’s with a twist vegetable as an organic started built in skips and has garden community into expanded all kinds provides that project local young of opportunities for in and learn about Stop people. or sample food sustainability produce made with organic the garden. from Designed in 1852 by Lewis Lewis by Designed in 1852 of King’s Cubitt, the architect was the Granary station, Cross for wheat store used to once the Today, bakers. London’s elegant building is a creative the world to – home warehouse – Central art college famous Saint Martins. Canalside Granary Square is Square Canalside Granary Cross. the heart of King’s at square new magnificent This once barges is built where unloaded their goods from history the canal. Its aquatic the new into has been worked with design, which is animated choreographed 1,000 over - each individually fountains fountains and lit. The controlled and day – by spectacular are night. by Start at the western concourse at King’s Cross station. The spectacular domed roof is an architectural and engineering feat. You’ll find a host of new shops, eateries and bars here including the Parcel Yard Bar, where you have fantastic views of the refurbished station.

Also here is the newly reopened Great Northern Hotel. This striking curved Victorian building was one of Britain’s first purpose-built railway hotels. There’s the Manhattan- style GNH bar and a fine dining restaurant – Plum + Spilt Milk. Or if meat is your thing, then Kiosk serves delicious hand-carved roast meat sandwiches from a hatch directly off the main concourse.

Pass the queue of Harry Potter fanatics at Platform 9 and ¾, and exit the station to your left into Battle Bridge Place. This is the gateway to King’s Cross. The giant birdcage is Jacque Rival’s artwork IFO (Identified Flying Object). Its neon rainbow colours light up the square at night. The black and white mural is by Barcelona-born artist Gregori Saavedra. It wraps the historic German Gymnasium building while it is being refurbished.

From here, stroll up one of London’s newest streets, King’s Boulevard. As you walk along, you can look at photos and read stories about the history of the area. Internet giant Google is building its UK headquarters on the eastern side of the boulevard in a “groundscraper” building that is as long as the Shard is tall. You’re now in a free WiFi zone.

At the top of the boulevard, climb the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of the development. Panoramic illustration boards tell you what’s what.

Back to the street, and on your right as you approach King’s Bridge is King’s Cross Filling Station. This former BP petrol station was once a popular late-night stop for clubbers. It’s is now home to hip restaurant, Shrimpy’s and an alfresco bar and grill.

And just across York Way is Kings Place, home to the Guardian Newspaper and a hub for music and art. The London Sinfionetta and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are here as well as the Pangolin sculpture gallery. You can eat at Green & Fortune Café, or on the banks of the canal at Rotunda.

Cross the canal and take in the scene at Granary Square. This amazing new square is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. There are over 1,000 fountains here – each of them individually controlled and lit. You can watch the fountains daily between 7.45am and 11.30pm. They’re at their most spectacular at night.

Pause on the canalside steps or stroll along the towpath to the right and take in the colourful sight of the narrowboats at St Pancras Cruising Club. is less than a mile away, if you continue north along the towpath. A mile in the other direction takes you to Islington.

All around the square are heritage buildings. This is the historic heart of King’s Cross. Look out for turning circles, railway tracks and name plates. The Granary Building is the first of these to be creatively reused. This former grain store is the stunning new home of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (CSM). You can walk around parts of the new campus, grab a game of ping pong, or view the students’ work in the Lethaby Gallery.

Granary Square is home to the King’s Cross branch of the popular restaurant Caravan. It’s worth stopping here for a coffee – they roast their own beans in-house. Next door is Grain Store – the new bistro from Bruno Loubet. If the weather is nice, then both restaurants have south-facing terraces overlooking the fountains. The popular street food collective KERB is here as well serving up London’s best street food weekday lunchtimes.

On the western side of the Square, is the House of Illustration the world’s first public gallery dedicated to the art of illustration. Continue along the west side of the Take this tour with Granary building under West Handyside Canopy. During term time, you’ll see the Central Saint Martins students your mobile phone at at work in their studios. http://kgx.cc/1xgtwB6 At the north end of the canopy, just across Handyside Street you’ll find theGlobal Generation Skip Garden. What started as a moveable vegetable garden built in skips has grown into a community project which provides all kinds of opportunities for local young people. On the first Saturday of the month a pop up café serves up food made with the fruit and veg grown here. Visitors are welcome to have a look around. Contact Global Generation if you’d like a guided visit.

Next to the Skip Garden is the outdoor sports area – perfect for a game of basketball or five-a-side football. The pitch is free for everyone to use and you can book a slot via the King’s Cross Visitor Centre. The Skip Garden operates a hatch café here, Wednesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, and Saturdays during the holidays.

Back across Handyside Street you’ll findHandyside Gardens. The gardens are beautifully landscaped, with planting in raised beds, places to sit, and a water rill which meanders through the park from a children’s play area. Handyside Gardens is located between the new homes at ArtHouse, and the Midlands Goods Shed - a historic train shed which is being restored, and will be home to a new Waitrose store and cookery school.

Head west along Handyside Street and you’ll pass the cantilevered Platform Theatre, a performance venue connected to Central Saint Martins. Continue around the Granary building and walk south down Stable Street. To your right is Coal Drops Yard. In time, this will be a unique new shopping quarter with boutiques, restaurants and galleries in the Victorian brick arches.

The building on your left is the Western Transit Shed. King’s Cross Visitor Centre is here. Drop in and the friendly team will help you make the most of your visit. You can Granary Square is the place “Well-travelled food and This former BP filling station is The new bistro from Bruno Healthy snacks, cakes and read about the history of the area, explore the interactive to sample some of London’s mighty fine coffee, in an old now home to a hip restaurant. Loubet. An eclectic menu hearty soups, made using model and book a guided tour. finest street food. Weekday grain store.” This popular During the summer, a where vegetables play the organic ingredients grown lunchtimes a rotating array of restaurant, bar and coffee canalside alfresco bar and grill starring role. There’s alfresco right here in the Global Pass through Granary Square, cross back over the canal, turn right onto Goods Way. You’ll pass where traders offer up some of the roastery is great for serves frozen cocktails and dining for 80 on the square. Generation garden. the green wall soil-free hydroponics has been used to create a vertical capital’s most exciting fare. Kimchee hot dogs. people watching! It doesn’t get more local! garden. On your left is Five Pancras Square, the new home Opening Times of Camden Council with a public library, leisure centre and Opening Times Opening Times Opening Times 11am – 11.30pm Opening Times swimming pool. 12pm – 2pm 8am – 11pm 12pm – 10pm www.grainstore.com 10pm – 4pm www.kerbfood.com/kings-cross www.caravankingscross.co.uk www.shrimpys.co.uk www.globalgeneration.org.uk Turn right again at to visit Camley Street Natural Park. This urban nature reserve is a two acre oasis of calm right in the middle of the city. Created from an old coal yard back in 1984, it’s now home to a wide variety of birds, butterflies, bats and plant life. Check the website for opening hours. This elegant brasserie in the Opening onto the concourse A glamorous, Great Northern Hotel serves at King’s Cross Station, Kiosk Manhattan-style bar in the From here, head back towards St Pancras International A brand new local eatery beautifully cooked classics – serves delicious hot roast exquisitely refurbished This bustling little bar with its Station – the glamorous new home of Eurostar. There’s an exciting collection of shops and eateries here, including offering tasty, homemade courtesy of acclaimed chef meat sandwiches. Monmouth Great Northern Hotel. communal tables is great for food prepared with the a pre-theatre drink. Searcy’s - Europe’s longest champagne bar and the Booking Mark Sargeant. coffee to boot. Office bar and restaurant in station’s original ticket hall. freshest of ingredients. Great Opening Times coffee and sumptuous cakes. Opening Times Opening Times Opening Times 6.30am – 11pm It’s also worth taking a look around the St Pancras 12pm – 11pm 6.30am – 11pm www.gnhbar.com 5pm till late most nights Renaissance Hotel. This national treasure has been Opening Times www.plumandspiltmilk.com www.kingscrosskiosk.com kgx.cc/platformtheatre painstakingly restored to its former glory. If you enter from 7am – 9pm the upper level of the station and head towards the Gilbert kgx.cc/canalreachcanteen Scott Bar, you’ll pass the amazing Grand Staircase.