King's Cross Station, London
King's Cross Station, or London King's Cross, is one of the major Victorian railway terminals built in London.
It was the fifth terminal to be built in London and when opened in 1852 it was the largest railway station in the UK.
Compared to most terminals built at this time it was remarkably simple and utilitarian in design, lacking the grandeur and ornamentation of other terminals like St Pancras Station immediately next door.
Great Northern Railway
King's Cross Station was built as the terminal of the Great Northern Railway which later became the London & North Eastern Railway before becoming part of BR.
The East Coast Main Line continues to operate between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley in Edinburgh, via Peterborough, Doncaster, York Station in York, Darlington, Durham, and Newcastle.
One of the UK's most famous trains, The Flying Scotsman, continues to operate today out of King's Cross.
Today the most striking feature of the station is the new departures concourse which opened in 2012. This massive semi-circular structure was designed by John McAslan and features what is called a diagrid shell form.
It is described as being "like some kind of reverse waterfall, a white steel grid that swoops up from the ground and cascades over your had." The roof is composed of 2,000 triangular roof panels, half of which are glazed. It is structurally independent of the main station building.
Tube Lines
King's Cross Station shares a tube station with St. Pancras Station.
As St. Pancras is the departure point for the Eurostar services to Europe the area is one of the busiest transport hubs in London and the busiest tube station in the system.
King's Cross St. Pancras is served by the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria underground lines.
Buses
Buses that call at St Pancras and King's Cross stations include the 30, 46, 63 (N63), 73 (N73), 91 (N91), 168 (discontinued in 2023), 205 (N205), 214 and 390.
The number 30 London bus runs from the Portman Street / Selfridges stop to Hackney Wick via Baker Street Station, Euston Station, Highbury Corner and Hackney Central. The 46 runs from Paddington Station to St Bartholomew's Hospital via Swiss Cottage and Kentish Town. The 63 connects Peckham Rye and King's Cross via Blackfriars Station, Farringdon Station and Clerkenwell Road. The 73 bus runs from Tottenham Court Road to Stoke Newington. The 91 bus links Crouch End with Trafalgar Square via Caledonian Road and Russell Square. The 205 London bus runs from Paddington Station to Bow Church on the DLR. The 214 runs from Highgate to Finsbury Square via Camden Town, Angel and Old Street. The 390 bus runs from Archway to Victoria via Euston Square tube station, Tottenham Court Road and Hyde Park Corner.
History
King's Cross Station opened in 1852 and was the largest in England.
The design was by civil engineer Lewis Cubitt (1799-1883), known for his many bridges in India, Australia and South America as well as the granary that later became Central Saint Martins, also in King's Cross.
The station has been reconfigured on a number of occasions and now has 12 platforms numbered 0 - 11.
Harry Potter
King's Cross Station is the starting point for the fictional Hogwarts Express which departs from the fictional Platform 9 ¾ in the Harry Potter series of books and movies.
A small reconstruction of a baggage trolley disappearing into a wall stands next to a Harry Potter merchandise outlet in the new concourse.
Euston Road
Kings Cross
London N1 9AL
Hotels near King's Cross Station
There are many places to stay near King's Cross to suit all budgets. Close to several of London's major attractions, including the British Library, Coal Drops Yard and Regent's Park, visitors have a wide choice of accommodation.
Here are some of the very best hotels near King's Cross Station: The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London with five stars, The Standard London also five stars, and the Pullman London St Pancras. The three-star Kings Cross Inn Hotel is also close to the station.
More budget accommodation options near King's Cross can be found here.
Other London Stations
Blackfriars
Canary Wharf
Covent Garden
Heathrow Terminals 123
North Greenwich
London Paddington
Wembley Central
Wembley Park
Willesden Junction
London Tube Stations
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