The Top Things to Do in King’s Cross, London

A stylish collection of shops, galleries, bars and restaurants housed in Victorian viaducts, Coal Drops Yards combines the industrial legacy of King’s Cross with its status as a one of the capital’s trendiest destinations today. The cobbled streets and brick arches are home to a curated mix of independent shops and signature brands from the UK and abroad, as well as an intelligently programmed series of cultural events. With its canal-side setting, eye-catching architecture and lively public squares filled with rotating interactive art installations, this area is well worth a visit.

A stroll along Regent’s Canal, a 13.8-kilometre (8.6mi) waterway winding through the heart of King’s Cross, is one of our favourite London walks. Start off at Granary Square and head down the astroturfed stairs to the towpath, along which you can walk to ZSL London Zoo, Primrose Hill and Little Venice. We recommend heading west past charming narrowboats and the Camley Street Natural Park urban nature reserve towards Camden market, to end up at Regent’s Park.

Sitting on the banks of Regent’s Canal, Granary Square is the historic heart of King’s Cross. Once the location of the Goods Yard, where barges unloaded their produce to be sold in the city, the square is today the home to more than 1,000 choreographed fountains that are lit up at night. Whether it’s children splashing around in the fountains, Londoners enjoying the boats pass by from the canal steps, or special events such as the Floating Cinema that take place throughout the year, Granary Square is a magnificent and animated spectacle. It’s also flanked by an exemplary selection of restaurants and bars.

Working hand-in-hand with the greatest artistic talents across art, music, film, fashion, science and more, Lightroom has reimagined what an immersive experience can look like. Having painted the world with David Hockney, flown to space with Tom Hanks and soon to be strutting the runway with Vogue the venue has more shows are already in development.

Floating on Regent’s Canal is our favourite London bookshop, the Word on the Water. Selling everything from classics to contemporary literature, the 1920s Dutch barge-cum-bookstore permanently moored on Granary Square hosts poetry slams and live music on its roof stage.

An architectural marvel, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, forming the frontispiece of St Pancras International railway station, first opened its doors in 1873 as the Midland Grand Hotel. Today, guests can stay in its five-star rooms or stop for a pint at the George’s Bar in the Gilbert Scott restaurant, with its high painted ceilings and dramatic red walls.

Street food market KERB, open 12pm-2pm from Wednesday to Friday, has some of the best lunch stalls in the city. The food pop-ups transform the Granary Square area, with a rotation of different vendors serving up everything from fresh gnocchi and poké bowls to calamari and Korean-Mexican fusion bowls.

Home to 150 million items, from the Magna Carta to original lyrics of the Beatles, the British Library has one of the world’s greatest book collections, and is a must-see for bookworms and history buffs. Only a few minutes’ walk from King’s Cross, the library – the largest public building constructed in the UK in the 20th century – is free to the public.

For Harry Potter fans out there, this famous destination needs little introduction. A tribute to the fictitious Platform 9¾ that serves as a portal to the magical world immortalised by JK Rowling’s writing, the title character’s trolley stuck in the wall offers the perfect photo opportunity. And if you haven’t got your Harry Potter fill, just pop next door to the official shop and deck yourself out in wizarding gear for the Tube ride home – unfortunately, the train to Hogwarts isn’t in use.

Advertised as “the free destination for the incurably curious”, the Wellcome Collection’s quirky range of exhibits is a testament to its founder Sir Henry Wellcome and his enthusiasm for travel. Enjoy the museum’s wide programme of events, from drop-in workshops and activities to its permanent displays on science and medicine.

Brought into being by the renowned Quentin Blake, the House of Illustration is a hub of doodles, drawings and designs. Housed inside is a mix of exhibitions, event spaces and educational workshops, giving guests an excellent entry into the world of illustration. Since opening in 2014, the gallery has attracted nearly a quarter of a million visitors a year looking for an alternative take on artwork.

The churchyard of St Pancras Old Church, which dates back to the Roman Empire, is a real treasure trove for literary and history enthusiasts. In 1877, to make way for the railway, the site was converted into public gardens by canonical English novelist Thomas Hardy, then a young architect. As well as the chance to visit the mausoleum of famed British architect Sir John Soane, the gardens are known as being the birthplace of the romance between poet Percy Shelley and the future author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley.

The clue is very much in the title with this celebrated arts venue. From dance classes to art workshops or almost anything that you can put your mind to, Drink, Shop & Do is a creative institution in the heart of King’s Cross. Housed in a former sex shop, the three floors are a perfect way to while away an afternoon taking part in one of the many creative events or a great spot to grab a drink in the evening in one of the venue’s bars.