King’s Cross St. Pancras is a bustling transportation hub in London known for its beauty and vibrant atmosphere.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, King’s Cross Station was London’s gateway for… beer! The station served as a central point in London where beer arrived from all over the country and was distributed to thirsty Londoners.
Today, I invite you for a walk around surrounding area.
Whether you have spare time while waiting for your train or simply find yourself in the vicinity of it, this one-hour-long walking tour around hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems of King’s Cross St. Pancras will keep you entertained.
You can visit all the locations described in this walk for free.
To see the MAP of King’s Cross St. Pancras walking tour click here.
Distance to cover: 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Enjoy the read and the walk!
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com
Things To See near King’s Cross St. Pancra
1. The grave that inspired the shape of the red telephone box
This King’s Cross St. Pancras walking tour begins at St. Pancras Old Church Cemetery – one of the most interesting hidden gems of the area.
St. Pancras Old Church is believed to be one of the oldest churches in England, and the nearby international railway station was named after it.
Saint Pancras was a Roman martyr from the 3rd Century who was beheaded for his Christian faith at fourteen!
One of the many interesting features of this place is the tomb of architect John Soane.
It is believed that the sight of this grave inspired Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (often visiting this cemetery) to give the red telephone box its iconic shape.
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2. The Beatles bench
On the 28th of July 1968, The Beatles during their break from recording The White Album, visited various locations in London for a spontaneous photographic session later called ‘The Beatles Mad Day Out’.
Some of the iconic shots from this session were taken in the churchyard of St Pancras Old Church.
‘Keep Off The Grass’ is one of the famous pictures from this session, featuring the band’s cryptic message about drugs.
Today, on the bench where the Fab Four sat in 1968, you can see a small plaque commemorating that moment.
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3. The grave that inspired the novel Frankenstein
Near The Beatles bench, you can find a grave of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, an 18th-century feminist thinker.
She died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Mary Shelley (author of ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus’).
The young author of a famous gothic novel unnaturally often visited her mother’s grave located in this cemetery.
Her father wanted to keep the memory alive.
It is believed that these frequent visits sparked the creation of the story of Frankenstein.
Fans of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin and Mary Shelley often leave here pens as tributes to both authors.
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4. Isaac Newton statue
The next stop on this King’s Cross St. Pancras walking tour is the statue of Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists in history.
You can find this massive bronze monument displayed on the grounds of the British Library (very easy to access, just walk through the gate you can see in the photo below).
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As you enter the square outside the library, you will notice plenty of benches to sit on.
It is a lovely spot to soak up some sunshine while waiting for your train.
See also: 50 Statues in London You Should See and Where to Find Them
5. The rail station from Harry Potter
The first of two significant wizarding locations to see during this walking tour is the entrance to the station where wizards and witches from Harry Potter movies catch the train to Hogwarts.
In real life, it is the beautiful front elevation of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
Seeing this grand Victorian building will be a treat for all Harry Potter fans and architecture enthusiasts.
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6. Spice Girls staircase
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel was also a location where the Spice Girls filmed the music video for their breakthrough song ‘Wannabe’.
The video showcased various scenes throughout the luxurious interiors of the hotel, including one featuring the iconic staircase.
This 5-star London hotel provided a captivating backdrop for the energetic and vibrant performance by the music group.
Even though Geri Halliwell’s departure (1998) occurred less than two years after their breakthrough moment (1996), the Spice Girls are considered one of the most successful girl groups of all time.
To see the staircase, after entering the building through the main entrance, turn left when you pass the reception. If needed, ask the security inside for further guidance.
The hotel is very welcoming to people who want to see the beautiful staircase that played a significant role in catapulting the Spice Girls to international fame.
7. The (lovely) statue of John Betjeman
At St. Pancras International station (adjacent to King’s Cross station), you can find a statue of John Betjeman.
John Betjeman was a renowned British poet, writer, and broadcaster known for his deep appreciation for Victorian architecture.
Betjeman’s passionate advocacy for King’s Cross St. Pancras Station was instrumental in saving it from demolition in the 1960s when there were plans to replace it with a modern development.
He also helped to save one of the most charming pubs in London – The Blackfriar Pub (my favorite pub in London). You can read more about this pub here.
The statue captures Betjeman’s spirit and serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on the cultural and architectural landscape of Britain.
You can find it on the upper level of the station concourse, near the Eurostar departure area.
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8. The Meeting Place statue
Steps away from Betjeman’s statue, you can find another artwork called ‘The Meeting Place’.
It is a bronze statue crafted by the British sculptor Paul Day.
This bronze masterpiece stands tall at a height of 9 meters (30 feet) and portrays a romantic scene of a man and a woman locked in an embrace.
At their feet, you can find an array of many scenes.
Some of them depict the moment of construction of the train station.
Others show various scenes you can witness at all train stations.
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9. The colorful tunnel between St. Pancras and King’s Cross
When walking around St. Pancras and King’s Cross you might stumble across a 90-meter tunnel of light.
This very instagramable location is possible to find after going down by the escalator at the St. Pancras International station.
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10. Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station
Platform 9 3/4 in the world of Harry Potter is a magical departure point for the Hogwarts Express.
The train that carries students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is located at King’s Cross Station in London.
In reality, at the station, between platforms 9 and 10, you can find a luggage trolley giving the illusion of disappearing into the wall.
Visitors have the opportunity to take their photos at this magical spot by themselves or can opt to have their pictures taken by a professional photographer.
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11. Regent’s Canal
Regent’s Canal is a waterway in London originally built in the early 19th century.
It stretches approximately 13.8 kilometers (8.6 miles) in length and passes through several vibrant London neighborhoods, including King’s Cross.
The canal is a scenic attraction and a vibrant social hub.
Its towpaths are bustling with activity as people gather to relax, socialize, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Dotted along the canal are charming cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
That makes it a perfect place to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a drink away from the station hustle and bustle.
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That’s all locations I wanted to show you in this King’s Cross St. Pancras walking tour.
I hope I have convinced you that it is indeed worth exploring this interesting part of London.
In need of a private tour guide…?
contact@walkmeblog.com