London can be overwhelming for visitors. To alleviate the stress of trying to do a lot in a short space of time, we often settle in one area and keep our sightseeing focused. There’s nothing better than finding your own ‘hood – stay, eat and explore like a local. We’ve done this on the South Bank and near Hyde Park and loved feeling less frazzled. But there’s always been one fly in the ointment – the issue of travelling across London with your luggage to find your home from home. Until now. On our latest trip to the capital, we took our usual Peterborough to King’s Cross train…and stayed there.
When I lived in London in the 1980s, visiting King’s Cross was a necessary evil, a place I couldn’t avoid if I wanted a train back to Newcastle. Today, King’s Cross and St Pancras stations look very grand in this totally revamped area of London. It’s become such a cool spot that I’m happy to spend much more time here.
Where to stay?
We set up camp in the Hotel Megaro which is just across the road from the station on Euston Road, with its entrance on Belgrove Street. It’s easy to spot with its multi-coloured splashes on the exterior. Step inside and you’ll find a friendly, relaxed welcome from happy staff. You’ll also find complimentary popcorn, fruit and sweets in the lobby which has been transformed into a gorgeous bar area, ‘minimix’, if you fancy a cocktail on arrival.
The Megaro is part of the small St Pancras Hotels Group and, as such, shows an independent spirit and style. There’s a cool, contemporary vibe – quite Scandinavian in the bedrooms with the use of natural wood and glass. We started each day in the hotel’s Megaro Eatery, fast becoming a popular spot for breakfast or brunch. Check out the pancakes or try the smashed avocado on sourdough bread, with scrambled egg on the side. At the end of the day, descend into the basement to enjoy more cocktails and, on some evenings, live jazz music. The Megaro bar is dimly lit and sensual: find your own hidden corner to escape for a while.
We booked a deluxe double room at the Megaro which gave us a huge space on the top floor (Floor Six) overlooking St Pancras and King’s Cross stations (the photo below doesn’t really do it justice: it was very spacious). You can hear some traffic noise from the rooms but we didn’t mind this at all. I’d much rather hear the hubbub of normal city than have to listen to footsteps in the corridor or sound from a TV in the next room.
We loved the supremely comfortable bed with top quality linen. The s-shaped loveseat or courting bench was ideal for a little smooch but hopeless if we both wanted to watch the telly at the same time ;-). Two more comfy chairs were located by the door and there was a smart desk/dressing table too. The bathroom was vast, especially by London standards. Our bath tub was square, which made sitting in it a little odd, but I persevered, crossing my legs as if in preparation for a bit of water yoga…or maybe I was just a Bath Buddha.
A nifty espresso machine, serving excellent Italian Illy coffee, was provided, plus a fridge containing complimentary still and sparkling water. Free WiFi, flat screen TV plus bathrobes and slippers: our room had everything we needed. There are also standard double rooms, some super-looking family rooms and nearby apartments, including the new funky corner studios – Hip Hip Britannia – designed by artist Henry Chebaane who was also responsible for the new minimix reception area. Bringing your pooch? They even have dog-friendly rooms. Have a look at their prices online: very good value when you compare them with other high quality hotels around the two stations.
Where to eat?
Finding cafes and restaurants to suit your taste and budget is easy around King’s Cross. Try Pancras Square and Granary Square that straddle Regent’s Canal: the space created here is perfect for a spot of people-watching too. Take your pick from German Gymnasium, Dishoom, Kimchee, Caravan, Tortilla – the list goes on. There’s even the option of nipping into the stations to grab a sandwich.
On York Way, left of King’s Cross station, you’ll find Franco Manca, a fantastic pizzeria we first discovered a few years ago. There are a number of branches in London and the south-east, all featuring a small, simple menu of wood-fired pizzas. Using top quality ingredients, the pizzas range in price from about £5 to £8. Wash it all down with an organic Italian wine and you have an early supper sorted.
What to do?
If you’re looking for free things to do in London, you’re spoilt for choice in the King’s Cross area. Turn right out of the station and you soon stumble upon the British Library with the impressive sculpture, Newton, in the piazza. Once inside the library, head for the Treasures Gallery. Here you can see a vast collection of manuscripts from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to Captain Cook’s journal. If you haven’t seen Magna Carta in either Lincoln or Salisbury, one of the original copies is here too.
A little further down Euston Road is the Wellcome Collection, advertised as ‘the free destination for the incurably curious’, though you may want to open your wallet to enjoy a delicious lunch. Take a look at Henry Wellcome’s medical antiquities on display or find the utterly relaxing space of the Reading Room where you can grab a bean bag or find a table to settle down for a quiet read.
I have Melissa to thank for suggesting the Grant Museum of Zoology in her post about quirky things to do in London. Part of UCL (University College London) this small but perfectly formed museum is definitely worth a look, particularly if you have children of a certain age who love anything gruesome. 68,000 specimens which have been either pinned or pickled and numerous skeletons including the extinct quagga. See if you can spot a jar of moles or a purse made from a sheep’s testicle, lined with silk. There’s also a micrarium; three walls of microscopic slides to see all the ‘tiny things’. Again, it’s free to enter and gawp to your heart’s content.
We did cheat a bit during our King’s Cross vacation – we left the area twice! I know, that’s going against the whole ethos of what I’m trying to achieve here. We hopped on the Tube for a few stops to Leicester Square to see Mary Stuart at the Duke of York’s Theatre. We went even further on the Saturday to attend the University Boat Race in Putney. But, in the main, we hung around the environs of our hotel. We would definitely stay here again. If you look at a map of London, King’s Cross is within walking distance of so many attractions including the British Museum, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Camden Market and Regent’s Park. And if you do decide to explore further afield, there are several underground lines which pass through King’s Cross so it’s quick and easy to reach your destination.
When we were ready to go home, the station was only a few steps away: no worries about whether we might be stuck on the tube or caught in traffic in a taxi. It’s a shame we still had a rail journey, plus a drive, at the other end. Next time I’m going to find the Harry Potter trolley at Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross station: maybe a little magic could summon up the Hogwarts Express to whisk us home a little quicker.
I’m so glad you managed to go to the Grant Museum of Zoology, it’s a bit strange but fun! The welcome collection looks cool. I haven’t heard of Hotel Megaro but it looks like a fabulous calm bolt hole amongst the hustle and bustle of the area.
I was so pleased I had read your post before we left. You would enjoy the Wellcome Collection too – the medical antiquities are fascinating, in the same way as the Grant Museum – some very weird stuff.
I’d definitely stay in the Megaro again: a great location and we loved the vibe.
We love great northern hotel on kings cross #cutytripping
Yes, that looks fab too. Good quality hotels in this location.
I’ve seen the Magna Carta in Salisbury but didn’t know there was another at the British Library! We finally visit King’s Cross/St. Pancras and admired the architecture and I had no idea we were so close! Next time! #CityTripping
I couldn’t believe it when we turned onto the main road and just fell upon the British Library. And to just walk into the exhibition with all the magnificent documents on show was quite amazing.
I’ve not heard of the Grant Museum of Zoology – looks very interesting. Also walked past the Wellcome Collection and British Library so many times but still not gone in. This has made me want to visit my old haunt!
You would miss it if you didn’t know it was there – quite a small room but packed to the rafters with all things stuffed and pickled!
There are still so many places in London I haven’t visited. I lived there for a few years and didn’t really make good use of my free time.
YOu had me at coffee machine!! I’ve not been to any of those museums.libraries – next trip! #CityTripping
It was great quality coffee!
I’m always saying that too – I read about somewhere and put it on a never-ending list!
I hadn’t come across this hotel but what a cool spot and such a great location – it is amazing how much Kings Cross has changed over the past decade or so. And the Grant museum is fantastically quirky, somewhere I haven’t been for ages. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
You’re spoilt for choice now in this area when it comes to hotels. My husband found it online – I’ll need to let him look more often.
Kings Cross is such a great base for London and I need to go to the British Library I have never been. There is nothing better than spending time in London is there, I never get bored of visiting there is so much to see. The hotel looks lovely, and you are right the bathroom is huge x
Each time we go to London I have a long list of attractions I’ve never visited. Greenwich is on my list for another trip – read so much about it but never gone that far down the river to check it out.
You’re right, King’s Cross has changed immensely over the years. Just in the time since I had my son, it’s become almost unrecognisable. It would be a very good base for seeing the city indeed – and the Megaro looks fantastic. Despite the enforced smooch!
It’s an incredible space now – each new development has improved the area.
Pucker up, Nell!
What a wonderful way of exploring a large city, Trish. Sticking mainly to the one neighbourhood and really making it your own. It’s a great way to see a city you know well. We’ve done this often in Paris. We live an hour away from London by train so tend to visit on day trips. You’re really persuading me it might be fun to stay over for a couple of days and see a bit more. Great guide to the best of King’s Cross. The other thing i really want to do there is play in the fountains when it’s hot! Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
It’s not something I’ve done in other cities, now I come to think of it – but I think it would work really well on a second or third visit.
Those fountains would have been perfect this weekend.
That’s a great tip about the Grant Museum, I’ll add that to my ever growing list of places to visit in London!
I hadn’t heard of it either – it’s a super little museum.
I feel the same way about New York sometimes – it can be so big and overwhelming that sometimes sticking to one hood makes the most sense. The hotel looks great! Though a square bathtub?! Hotels can really be deal breakers on a trip so it’s nice you found one you liked so much. I am making a mental note of the zoology museum – actually pinning this so I will remember! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
Maybe it was just a deep shower tray? But it did have a plug haha! The bathroom was large so there was no reason not to have a proper-sized one.
You’ll love the Grant museum – the perfect little place for looking at weird and wonderful things.
That is such a great tip to those that are new to London, explore bits of it at a time each visit. It’s just overwhelming to try and see the lot in one go! That hotel looks incredible. I used to go to a nightclub in Kings Cross years ago, it was definitely a very very different place then, it was such a surprise to see that it’s grown in to, a nice surprise too! 🙂 x
I’m quite amazed by the transformation of King’s Cross: we all remember it being far from salubrious.
Going back to the hotel soon – such a great spot.