Best Things To Do and Places To See in King’s Cross

20th November 2023 Chris Clark London Life, News and Events

Being in zone one of the big smoke, King’s Cross is packed full of fun things to do and sights to see. It’s no wonder it’s loved by young and old folk alike. From tourist destinations like platform 9 ¾ to sports activities and nature retreats, there really is something for everyone near Kings Cross.

If you’re lucky enough to have landed in our urbanest King’s Cross student accommodation, we’re here to shed a little light on your local area. Everything in this post is within walking distance of this building, you really don’t have to go far from your digs to find something to do! So if you’re wondering what to do near King’s Cross, here are our favourite local attractions.

Related: Local Amenities around urbanest King’s Cross

Best Bars and Clubs in King’s Cross

As you’d expect, there are plenty of things to do in King’s Cross that involve DJs, cocktails and plenty of dancing till the early hours. From cute tapas bars with small plates and large glasses to super clubs with the most forward-thinking music lineups, there’s plenty of nightlife around King’s Cross:

1. Camino King’s Cross

Camino King’s Cross is a Spanish restaurant and bar which is only a 5-minute walk away from King’s Cross Station. It’s one of the best places to go for Spanish tapas in King’s Cross and can settle your ‘festejando’ needs! Head down to Camino restaurant King’s Cross and treat yourself to Pan Con Tomate and a glass of Spain’s finest Vino Blanco, and indulge in Spain’s world-renowned culture. It also doubles up as a drink shop, so if you fancy a morning drink, stop off at the Camino juice bar and pick up a variety of freshly squeezed juices!

Carmin Tapas - What To Do Near Kings Cross
Image courtesy of hero-and-leander.com

2. Scala Club King’s Cross

If Camino King’s Cross isn’t enough for you, then Scala might tickle your fancy! Scala is a London based club that holds plenty of events all year round and is one of the best things to do in King’s Cross. If it’s a small indie band or a world-renown DJ, Scala has it all. Only 0.6km away from our King’s Cross accommodation, it’s a great choice for a student night out! Although it’s in a central location, the surrounding pubs and bars have none of the West End prices for a more affordable night out.

Related: 21 Quirky Things to Do in London

3. Egg Club King’s Cross

You can never know too many clubs in London and it would be rude not to know of this one! Egg is a unique nightclub with a variety of different rooms to suit your mood on your night out. Rated very highly by party-goers as one of the better things to do in King’s Cross, it is also easy to arrive at, with buses constantly running outside the club. These parties can go on till 6-7 am.

Best Parks in King’s Cross

While London may be most known for its high rise towers, skyscrapers, and super-fast paced way of life, there are actually plenty of places and spaces to get away from the hustle. Check out the following parks if you’re looking for green spaces to visit and relaxing things to do near King’s Cross:

4. Camley Street Natural Park

What once was a ruined, old and tattered up industrial site in Camley, has somewhat changed since those days, and is now a beautiful scenic natural park for all to walk around and enjoy near King’s Cross. Camley Street Natural Park hosts pond-dipping and nature-watching sessions and its wood-cabin visitor centre is used by the Wildlife Watch Club. A ten-minute walk from London St Pancras station and King’s Cross, Camley Street Nature Park is easily accessible and the perfect place to relax on a sunny day.

Meadow - Things to do in King's Cross

5. Lewis Cubitt Park

If you’re just wanting to get out for a moment, grab a blanket or towel and take the 2-minute short walk over to Lewis Cubitt Park. This beautiful green space is a great place to get your fill of nature when the weather gets warm. It even provides a peaceful study space if you want to get out of the library. This park was designed by the same architects who designed Granary Square, so you know it’ll be a great place to unwind.

6. Viewpoint

Down by the Regent’s Canal in the Camley Street Natural Park, there’s a floating platform that brings together architecture and nature. Viewpoint offers a distinctly different view of the canal and a unique place to relax when uni stress gets too much. If you’re looking for a peaceful area to get close to nature, this is one of the best places near King’s Cross for you.

Related: Best Parks in London

Best Art and Culture Attraction near King’s Cross

7. Camden Market

One of the musts to do in London is visiting the famous Camden Market. It began life as an arts and crafts fair in 1974 and today is a diverse community of creative sellers, street food traders, and independent stores next to the Regent’s canal. You’ll find things here that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, so it really is a special place. There are events on every week including live music, food and drink events. This market is a favourite with tourists, students and locals alike. It’s definitely one not to miss if you find yourself in the area!

8. House of Illustration

When it comes to things to do in King’s Cross, the art and theatre scene can’t be ignored. The House of Illustration is a unique gallery in Granary Square. It’s dedicated to all forms of illustration, from animation to picture books, political cartoons, scientific drawings and fashion design. If you want to get your fill of illustration, it’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm.

What to do in kings cross - House of Illustration
Image courtesy of www.iffresearch.com

9. King’s Cross Theatre

If you’re in the mood for some theatre but don’t want to walk a long way to the West End, this children’s classic is right at your feet. Just behind King’s Cross Station, the King’s Cross Theatre provides a great show. It features a stage built around a real train track and an original locomotive steaming in throughout the performance.

10. Platform Theatre

The final of our culture-based King’s Cross attractions is the Platform Theatre. Located on Handyside Street, this is the stage of Central Saint Martins, one of the most influential centres for art and design. There’s a wide selection of theatre offerings, and you can be sure to find something different here.

Fun Things To Do in King’s Cross

Fancy a weekend where you don’t think about university, bills or any of the other stresses of modern student life? Consider a weekend packed with all of the fun things to do in Kings Cross, including:

11. Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross

If you’re near King’s Cross and St. Pancras International Station then be sure to take a picture next to platform 9 3/4. This famous spot, flocked by Harry Potter fans is nicely equipped with a sign and a battered luggage trolley that are Instagram-worthy. And while you’re at it, take a moment to appreciate the beautifully renovated main hall of King’s Cross Station and head over to picturesque St. Pancras Station. Be sure to pay close attention to the architecture and artworks on display all throughout, there are some true masterpieces with interesting histories hidden everywhere.

Platform 9 3/4 - Things to do in King's Cross

12. Bloomsbury Lanes

Want some time away from the nightlife and the hustle and bustle of London? Bloomsbury Lanes is one of the perfect things to do near King’s Cross! Built with eight high-end bowling lanes and inspired by a 1950s themed London, what more could you need? With prices starting from £45 per lane for 6 people, it’s great value for the location of the alley. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Russell Square station, so it’s nice and close to King’s Cross.

13. King’s Cross Outdoor Sports Pitch

Want to get competitive and get your sports gear on whilst staying near King’s Cross? King’s Cross Outdoor Sports Pitch is a 5-minute walk from Skip Garden and next to House of Illustration. So, when it’s warm out, get together a group of friends and book an hour for football or basketball. 

14. Granary Square

If you’re venturing near Granary Square, download the Granary Squirt app, head over to the fountains, and play ‘Snake’. The developers are planning to release several typical arcade games, and the first one is this all-time classic. Up to eight people can play at a time. So, it’s quite a challenge to navigate your snake while dodging the sides, other players, and your own tail. It’s definitely a unique thing to do near King’s Cross!

Best Educational Attractions near King’s Cross

While the term educational attractions may not initially float your boat, there’s a ton of interesting yet educational things to do near King’s Cross. From libraries to museums, all hosting plenty of events throughout the year, you can use these spaces to explore new interests or take courses to back up your degree and bulk out your CV. 

15. British Library

Feeling a tad bored? Feel like reading over 150 million books of every book ever published in the UK? Me too! Head down to the prestigious British Library in King’s Cross. It’s free to enter and you get to see one of the most famous libraries and attractions in the UK. Scrap that, in Europe! For what to do in Kings Cross, you can’t do much better.

Things to Do Around Kings Cross - British Library

16. King’s Cross Canal Museum

If you’re looking for a more niche educational experience, why not pop down to the King’s Cross Canal Museum? In this King’s Cross attraction you can bolster your knowledge of London’s man-made waterways. Prices are very reasonable at only £6 for an adult, £3 for a child, and £5 for students. So, get to know the people who used the canals and why they had to be used in the way they were.

17. Regent’s Park

It’s difficult finding an English country garden in the middle of a busy city… Unless you know where to look! The Regent’s Park, named after Prince Regent (who later became King George IV), is one of London’s eight Royal Parks covering 395 acres of land. Within it, you’ll find a boating lake, over 12,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens, and rows of flowerbeds in the Avenue Gardens. Don’t forget to check out what’s on at the Open Air Theatre in the summer. This is one of the most beautiful days out in London. 

Related: The Best Outdoor Cinemas in London

What To Do Near Kings Cross - The Regent's Park London

18. ZSL London Zoo

Also situated in The Regent’s Park is ZSL London Zoo. Step into the land of the lions with their new enclosure that takes you through an Indian-themed landscape and see the lions in a habitat similar to one they’d experience in their homeland. The zoo also has the UK’s first-ever walk-through spider exhibit where you get up close and personal with spiders if you dare! You can also see lemurs up close at the ‘In with the lemurs’ exhibit. Don’t forget to visit the gorillas, penguins, giraffes, tigers and birds among hundreds of other species. And don’t just think this is only for summer, it’s a perfect answer for what to do near King’s Cross all year round.

19. Jewish Museum London

The Jewish Museum says that its mission “is to surprise, delight and engage all people, irrespective of background or faith, in the history, identity and culture of Jews in Britain”. There are permanent exhibitions including Judaism: A Living Faith which celebrates rare ceremonial art objects from Jewish culture and The Holocaust Gallery which looks at the horrors of Auschwitz through the story of one British-born survivor. You’ll also find temporary exhibitions which change regularly, covering different aspects of Jewish culture. Looking for something a little different for what to do in Kings Cross? This could be the ticket.

20. Charles Dickens Museum

One for the literary students or those who just love the great man, the Charles Dickens Museum highlights the life and work of one of Britain’s most celebrated authors, in his London home. Step into the house where Oliver Twist was written and see the rooms that could have inspired Nicholas Nickleby. There are over 100,000 articles to view including manuscripts, rare editions of his books, paintings and some of Dickens’ personal items.

Best Theatres & Entertainment Venues near King’s Cross

Last on our guide is must-see entertainment. Let your hair down with some fabulous entertainment that you can walk to from King’s Cross.

21. Sadler’s Wells

Sadler’s Wells is dedicated to every style of dance. It shows touring productions of troupes from all over the globe in addition to supporting up-and-coming talent from here in the UK. You don’t have to be a dancer to appreciate dance, so why not get out of your comfort zone and be inspired by these performers? From ballet and tango to contemporary, there’s something new every week making this a perfect choice for what to do in King’s Cross.

22. Roundhouse

Performing arts lovers, look no further than The Roundhouse. This venue near King’s Cross describes itself as “a hub of inspiration where artists and emerging talent create extraordinary work and where young people can grow creatively as individuals”. There are spoken word performances, circus acts, singer-songwriters and cabaret shows. This is also the venue that hosts BBC Music Introducing, which first discovered Florence and The Machine, London Grammar, and George Ezra amongst others.

Roundhouse Theatre - Things To Do In Kings Cross

23. Koko

Charlie Chaplin once performed in this venue, Koko,  which was then known as The Camden Hippodrome. More recent celebs to play this venue have been Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. You’ll often find artists doing secret gigs here or giving debut performances of songs from albums that aren’t released yet. You might just discover the next big thing in this former theatre near Kings’ Cross.

24. O2 Academy Islington

If you’re a music lover, you’re probably already familiar with O2 Academy venues, and the O2 Academy Islington is the closest to King’s Cross. If you fancy seeing some live music almost any night of the week, this is the place to be. It helps that it’s just a mile away from urbanest King’s Cross, so for students staying with us, it makes a great night out! From new bands to established artists, and weekly club nights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Grab a bunch of your friends and head down for an evening of music and dancing.

Can you think of any other things to do in King’s Cross? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re thinking about moving into the city centre, check out our student accommodation in London Zone 1.

 

Chris Clark

Chris Clark

For more great posts from Urbanest about accommodation, London life, study tips and much more, visit the Student Journal.