tours london kings cross

London Guided Walks » Kings Cross Tour

Euston to King's Cross Tour

• Discover an area undergoing dramatic change
• Follow in the the footsteps of Charles Dickens and Poet Laureate John Betjeman
• Qualified London tour guide

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Meet your qualified tour guide Ian at Euston before embarking on a 90 minute private tour exploring the hidden histories of the area of King’s Cross including an iconic hotel, station and a library.

Ian will lead you through beautiful crescents and atmospheric Georgian side streets, sharing stories of literary greats such as Charles Dickens and Poet Laureate John Betjeman among others.

St Pancras Church Next, visit the St Pancras Church, famous for its beautiful Greek Revival architecture and the iconic Caryatids. This historic church, completed in 1822, is a serene spot amidst the hustle of the city.

Woburn Walk Stroll through Woburn Walk, a charming pedestrian street with Georgian architecture, boutique shops, and cafes. This quaint street captures the essence of 19th-century London, providing a picturesque backdrop for photos.

Cartwright Gardens Continue to Cartwright Gardens, a delightful crescent garden surrounded by elegant buildings. This peaceful enclave offers a perfect place for a brief rest, reflecting on the area’s rich history.

British Library Visit the British Library, home to an impressive collection of over 170 million items. Don’t miss the Treasures Gallery, where you can view historic manuscripts, including the Magna Carta and works by Shakespeare.

St Pancras  Move on to St Pancras, a marvel of Victorian Gothic architecture. Admire the grandeur of St Pancras International Station and the striking St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, both iconic landmarks of London.

Ending Point: King’s Cross Gymnasium Conclude your tour at the King’s Cross Gymnasium, now known as the German Gymnasium. This Grade II listed building, originally built in 1865, was the first purpose-built gymnasium in England. Today, it serves as a stylish restaurant and bar, where you can relax and unwind after your walk.

Enjoy the historical richness and architectural beauty of this fascinating area, blending the past with the vibrant present of London’s cityscape.

• Start : Euston Station
• End : King’s Cross Station

All Change at King’s Cross Tour explores the remarkable transformation of this 67-acre development. 

Kings Cross Tour Reviews

Qualified London Tour Guides

Kings Cross: Wrong Side of the Tracks?

Rebranded as London’s new ‘Knowledge Quarter’ the regeneration of Kings Cross is extraordinary.

On this walk we’ll be exploring the historic backstreets of Kings Cross and St Pancras alongside the incredible new developments of Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square.

We’ll visit the back streets of Kings Cross and go inside the glorious St Pancras Station (as well as the charming ancient churchyard of St Pancras Old Church). Meeting the characters who shaped the area and the ambitious plans that made their mark on the landscape.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  “ King’s   Cross brought to life. Katie is a very knowledgeable and entertaining presenter. Her enthusiasm for her subject shows through.” – Tripadvisor Review, July 2020

The meeting point is outside Kings Cross Rail Station, outside the station in the main plaza and beneath the central clock tower.

The walk lasts around 90 minutes and ends near Coal Drops Yard, a perfect spot for a drink and bite to eat.

All Look Up London tours focus on the hidden stories, trying to spot the details above your eye line that are often missed by passersby. There’s a lot of information in an architectural detail, a crest or a sculpture that tells you about the history of the area! See all the walks here .

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13 Killer Things To Do In King’s Cross St. Pancras

From grabbing a glass at Idris Elba's wine bar to scoffing schnitzel at the German Gymnasium, here's our rundown of the best things to do in King's Cross St. Pancras.

Home to the Eurostar – which is set within the magnificent St. Pancras station – King’s Cross is often many people’s first impression of our beloved capital. And what was once a bit of a grubby and rundown area in days gone by, it’s now been completely revitalised due to a massive redevelopment project in Coal Drops Yard which has seen a whole gamut of shops, bars, bougie restaurants and even vintage car boots pop-up all over the shop.

In fact, it was recently voted ‘one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world’ by Time Out, so it’s pretty damn fine thank you very much. So, without further ado, here are 13 killer things to do in King’s Cross – and no, posing for a photograph at the fake Platform 9 ¾ doesn’t feature. Though we’re not judging if that’s your bag…

1. Walk through the psychedelic King’s Cross Tunnel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Cannon (@thetravellingbriefuk)

Kicking off this roundup of the best things to do in King’s Cross and the area surrounding it is the King’s Cross Tunnel – a 90-metre long tunnel featuring an ‘art wall’ made entirely of LED lights, which are used to showcase a whole host of eclectic artistic commissions.

It links the stations with the shops, bars and eateries of Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, and has even been used as a catwalk during London Fashion Week. Better bring your iPhone to this one then…

📍 1 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG.

2. Browse the bookshelves at Word on the Water

The aptly-named Word on the Water has been bobbing on the waters of London since 2011, and like the pirate ships of old, it’s hauling some sweet booty. Except instead of gold coins and purloined treasures, this place is carrying a whole lotta books.

London’s only floating bookshop , this is the place to come if you’re looking for some R&R right by the canal. Rifle through the shelves outside, or head inside for stacks of books on a huge range of subjects, warmed by a cosy stove. Where else are you going to have the chance to read Austen on a 1920’s barge? Clue – nowhere!

📍 Regent’s Canal Towpath, Kings Cross, London, N1C 4LW

3. While away the hours in the sunshine at the Granary Square steps

Speaking of Regent’s Canal, there’s another spot for you to really enjoy it – and that place in question is the Granary Square Steps. Carpeted in green during the balmy summer months, the steps form a natural amphitheatre, ideal for outdoor arts, music gigs , live sports and cinema screenings.

It’s incredibly popular, so you might need to fight your way through throngs of lively punters post-work – particularly when something like Wimbledon is showing – but it’s well worth the hassle. What’s not to love about meeting a group of mates when the sun’s shining with a bag of cans by the canal?

📍 Grand Union Towpath, London, N1C 4AB.

4. Visit the UK’s first LGBTQ+-dedicated museum

Sticking around Coal Drops Yard, you’ll find Queer Britain, which as the UK’s first ever national LGBTQ+ museum, is well worth a visit. Opening back in May 2022, it’s a celebratory, representative, and informative spot, and has been designed to allow the country’s queer communities to find an in-depth record of their past, all the while looking to their future too.

The award-winning ‘We Are Queer Britain!’ exhibition is definitely worth a visit when you’re here. Arriving shortly after the museum’s opening, it marks the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride March, and is described as ‘ a diverse and rich array of artefacts that culminates voices, objects and images from the worlds of activism, art, culture and social history covering over 100 years of queer life ’.

📍 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH.

5. Scoff schnitzel at the German Gymnasium

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The German Gymnasium (@thegermangym)

Offering various set and à la carte (apologies for the cultural confusion there) menus, German Gymnasium is the perfect place for almost any occasion… particularly for a damn good schnitzel, thank you very much.

The impressive building was England’s very first purpose-built gymnasium, but is now an up-market eatery specialising in German cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant itself breathes grandeur and the food is sehr, sehr gut! There’s also a whole host of German draught beers on tap – Prost!

📍 King’s Boulevard, London, N1C 4BU

6. Chill out with an Aperol Spritz at Big Chill’s rooftop bar

A great spot if you’re looking for a bevvie or two, Big Chill is a lively spot spread over three floors which also has a bangin’ roof terrace too. A colourful space, it’s full to the brim with bright and comfy chairs, vintage signage and little pots of plants and herbs.

The drinks are served out of sheds, there’s a dedicated Aperol Spritz bar and bottomless brunch is served at the weekends. They’ve also got street food favourites Chuck Burger in residence here, as well as DJs spinning tunes at the weekends. So, basically, it ticks all the boxes! They’ve also got a sister venue in Brick Lane if you’re out East way.

📍 257-259 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NL.

7. Grab a cuppa or and a charcuterie board at Fork Deli

This lovely London deli-cum-café is located right in the heart of Bloomsbury just a stone’s throw away from King’s Cross tube, and they serve up some of the meanest toasties, paninis and soups you can find anywhere in Central. Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a whole host of mouth-watering cakes and freshly-baked pastries – from gluten-free chocolate cake to traditional Portuguese pastel de natas – and they source all their ingredients and sourdough breads from local producers.

And the best thing of all? The staff are super friendly, and they double as a wine bar , so you can while away the hours from day to night, swapping cups of coffee and emmental and ham sandwiches for carafes of vino and cheese and charcuterie boards – fancy!

📍 85 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AL.

8. Survey the views from atop The Standard

It’s safe to say you can have a pretty good time at The Standard, a luxe five-star hotel set right opposite St. Pancras station. You can hop from the hotel’s chic ground floor bar up to their gorgeous rooftop hangout – which opened back in Summer 2021 and from where you can enjoy some of the best panoramic views in the whole of London.

But the cream of the crop we think is their newest addition Sweeties – a glitzy cocktail bar, disco, and late-night lounge with floor-to-ceiling views of that spectacular station. Not to forget their, their new pop-up with Ixta Belfrage at their restaurant Isla . This one really hits the spot – a good date-night spot perhaps?

📍 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG.

9. Indulge in a glass or two of wine at Idris Elba’s wine bar

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porte Noire King’s Cross (@portenoirekx)

Another one of the best things to do in King’s Cross is a visit to the plush Porte Noire, which is owned by none other than Luther himself – the myth, the man, the legend Idris Elba. Located within the iconic Gasholders, it’s named after the actor’s established wine and champagne brand, and offers around 800 different wine bins for you to choose from.

While wine and Champagne make up most of the menu, some top-end spirits will also be on offer. Plus, if you get peckish, there’s a full French brasserie-style menu to tuck into, featuring the likes of an Oeuf Meurette – a classy Burgundian plate of poached eggs with red wine sauce and slow cooked beef cheek – best followed by a plate of cheese. Oh darling!

📍 Unit A Gasholder 10, 1 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4BY.

10. Join the queue for the ever popular Roti King

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roti King (@rotikinguk)

Now we love a BYOB here at Secret London – I mean, who doesn’t, particularly within a cost of living crisis – so we knew that Roti King had to be on this list. A tiny, cult Malaysian spot, it’s situated right across the road from Euston station, and specialises in unforgettable roti canai – a flatbread of Indian origin that is extremely popular in both Malaysia and Singapore.

They’ve also got the ‘Nasi Lemak’ – steamed coconut rice served with peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, egg, sambal and spiced fried chicken – which is pretty much to die for, and some mean noodle and curry dishes too. All the food here is halal-prepared , but a word of advice – it gets very busy here, so be prepared to queue.

📍 40 Doric Way, London, NW1 1LH.

11. Dabble in class at Searcys St. Pancras Champagne Bar

Searcys St. Pancras boasts the title of ‘ Europe’s longest champagne bar ’ at an impressive 98 metres, all set above St. Pancras station terminal. Sit yourself down on a heated leather seat, admire the beauty of the station’s architecture, and press a button for Champagne (yes, quite literally).

Undoubtedly one of the best (and bougiest) things you can do in King’s Cross, you can even add some Jersey Rock oysters to your banquette to really up your game. Perfect if you’re hopping aboard the Eurostar to Paris . When in Rome …

📍 Grand Terrace, St Pancras International Station, N1C 4Q.

12. Enjoy some peace and quiet at the Calthorpe Community Garden

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Calthorpe Community Garden (@calthorpecommunitygarden)

Rounding off this list of the best things to do in King’s Cross is paying a visit to the Calthorpe Community Garden – a green oasis right in the heart of the neighbourhood which has been connecting residents to Mother Nature all the way since 1984.

It’s a secluded spot which offers the perfect respite from getting away from the hustle and bustle of London Town. They’ve also got a wide range of classes on here too, such as therapeutic horticulture, cooking classes and sport. It’s well worth checking out!

📍 258-274 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LH.

13. Dine on some Middle Eastern fare at Coal Office

One of King’s Cross’ culinary highlights is Coal Office , sitting pretty across Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard. A stylish Middle Eastern restaurant, we recommend you sit on the counter to have the open kitchen as your evening entertainment.

The menu is faultless – from the bread, dips, small plates, in between, big plates and desserts, not a single thing we ordered was anything less than sublime. Some standouts were the kubalah bread which just shines when paired with the labaneh and tomato dip, the aubergine tartare, the braised hispi cabbage with Cornish squid and possibly the most exquisite and freshest octopus one can have in the city , served with braised radish and truffle and harissa sauce. The service was simply perfect and cements Coal Office as a gem in King’s Cross.

📍 2 Bagley Walk, N1C 4PQ.

So there you have it – a roundup of the best things to do in King’s Cross. From landmark museums to bougie bars, this neck of the woods has plenty going for it, so why not make the trip and see what you can tick off!

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Description

The Big Bus Company See the sights of London, from the deck of a traditional open-top double decker bus! You can hop on and off at any of the world-famous attractions en route. Buy your printable e-tickets for these great value sightseeing tours online NOW! London tours take in all the key sites including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and St Pauls Cathedral. FREE Thames River Cruise and Walking Tours included.

Tickets: Adults 17 GBP, Children 8 GBP.

Harry Potter Bus Tour of London

Uncover the magical secrets of england’s capital on the harry potter bus tour of london. explore the historic streets and iconic buildings that brought the wizarding world to the big screen..

Traversing the hustle and bustle of London’s city centre , your guide will take you to the most famous locations from the 8 Harry Potter movies . All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

• Harry Potter
• Public tour

From € 39 per person

• St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel / Flying Ford Anglia
• Australia House / Gringotts Bank Exterior
• Scotland Place / Ministry of Magic
• Lambeth Bridge / The Knight Bus
• Millennium Bridge / Death Eater Attack on London
• Borough Market / The Leaky Cauldron
• 23 Claremont Square / 12 Grimmauld Place
• King's Cross Station / Platform 9¾
• Join the most comprehensive tour visiting Harry Potter film locations in London
• Get a photo pushing a trolley through the platform wall at Platform 9¾
• See where the Knight Bus squeezed through the oncoming double-decker buses in the third movie
• Walk in the footsteps of Hagrid and Harry Potter to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron
• See the location used for the Gringotts Bank exterior

Tour details

Warner Bros Studios is not included in this tour

Meeting point

Please arrive 10 minutes before departure in front of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel / St Pancras Rail Station at the top of the steps in the car park below the clock tower.

Tour departs

Wednesdays at 2:00 pm (Feb – Oct) Saturdays at 2:00 pm (Jan – Dec)

King’s Cross Station, Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9AL

Live guide speaks

Tour operator.

Brit Movie Tours

Cancellation policy

24 hours  or more before start: full refund less 5% booking fees. After that time or no-show: no refund .

Accessibility

All ages welcome Suitable for children Children must be accompanied by an adult Not wheelchair accessible

Professional live guide Transport and driver Vehicle with air condition

Gratuities (optional)

Film series

This tour is independently operated by Brit Movie Tours. It is not endorsed or supported in any way by Warner Bros Entertainment Inc., the Harry Potter publishers, J.K. Rowling or her representatives.

Full description

The Harry Potter Bus Tour of London reveals the magical side of this muggle city.

You’ll also get plenty of chances to get off the bus, stretch your legs, and get up close and personal with your favourite landmarks. These include Old Scotland Yard , known to diehard fans as the visitor’s entrance to the Ministry of Magic . In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , we see Harry and Mr Weasley come here ahead of Harry’s trial. The immediately-recognisable building has now become a popular photo stop for visitors.

You’ll also get to see Lambeth Bridge , which featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . After enduring an already bumpy ride, Harry nearly met his end when the Knight Bus faced off with two double-deckers while crossing this bridge. His panic was for nothing though, as the magical bus squeezed between the oncoming vehicles, unnoticed by any muggles.

Leadenhall is another popular filming location hidden among London’s winding streets. The Leaky Cauldron is located here in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone . We see Harry and Hagrid enter it in order to proceed on to Diagon Alley . This is the perfect opportunity for you to literally follow in Harry and Hagrid’s footsteps!

Speaking of Diagon Alley , this tour also gives you the opportunity to visit Gringotts Bank . Australia House , where scenes for the bank were filmed, is in itself an important London landmark. It was opened by King George V himself in 1918.

As the tour comes to an end, your driver will take you to possibly the most famous Harry Potter location  in London: Kings Cross Station . Here you’ll have the chance to grab a fun photo at the wall leading to Platform   9 ¾. Who knows, maybe your wizarding powers will even allow you to travel through to the other side.

The Harry Potter Bus Tour of London offers a chance to visit all of these locations and more! It also makes a stop at the official Warner Bros. store , where you can pick up some magical souvenirs! It really is the perfect day out for Harry Potter fans of all ages! Book now!

Locations (8)

1. st. pancras renaissance hotel / flying ford anglia, 2. australia house / gringotts bank exterior, 3. scotland place / ministry of magic.

Find the location used as the entrance to the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix .

4. Lambeth Bridge / The Knight Bus

See where the Knight Bus squeezed through the oncoming double decker buses in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

5. Millennium Bridge / Death Eater Attack on London

6. Borough Market / The Leaky Cauldron

London’s Borough Market serves as the location of the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . Dating back to the 12th century, its centuries-old buildings and bustling atmosphere make it the perfect place to hide a magical pub!

South of the Thames , and just a short distance from London Bridge tube station , Borough Market is the perfect place for any Potter fan to take a stroll and soak up the Wizarding World .

Walking along Stoney Street , make sure to stop at No.7 , a small flower shop under the railway bridge called Chez Michele . This is the real-life location of the Leaky Cauldron . Also on Stoney Street , just next door at No.8 , is another shopfront that might look familiar. This building was also used for the Third Hand Emporium and appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets . It was here that Harry first met the hapless Gilderoy Lockhart and the sinister Lucious Malfoy .

And while you’re here, make sure to explore all the wonderful things this market has to offer. Among the countless stalls you’ll be sure to find produce from far and wide. Whether you’re looking for fresh fruit, souvenirs to bring back home, or just a quick cup of coffee, the market has you covered!

7. 23 Claremont Square / 12 Grimmauld Place

23 Claremont Square is the filming location of  12 Grimmauld Place  from  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix .

8. King's Cross Station / Platform 9¾

Get a photo pushing a trolley through the wall at Platform 9¾ .

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