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Kings Cross & St Pancras Area Guide

Kings Cross would not have been a recommended place to stay ten years ago as it was, quite frankly, a little seedy. But it’s undergone a regeneration in recent years and while it does not have the genteel charm of nearby Bloomsbury, it’s relatively safe and and one of the best areas to stay if you’re looking for a very cheap hotel.

It’s a major transport hub and a convenient area to stay if you’re using the Eurostar or travelling to Luton airport from St Pancras station.

View a map of the Kings Cross area

History

Formerly known as Battle Bridge, the area had a popular spa in the mid-18th century and housed a large smallpox hospital from 1746–1846. Its name changed to Kings Cross in 1836 after a monument to King George IV was erected. It proved unpopular and was demolished in 1845 but the name stuck. Kings Cross station was built on the site of the hospital in 1852.

Accommodation information

There’s a good range of both budget, traditional B&B hotels and hostels within a very short walking distance from the station.

Cartwright Gardens in the northern part of Bloomsbury is also a handy area to stay for easy access to King’s Cross, St Pancras or Euston stations.

Book a budget hotel in Kings Cross

Places of interest within walking distance

  • The British Library
  • Regent’s Park
  • Camden Market
  • London Canal Museum
  • Wellcome Collection

Transport

Underground

King’s Cross St Pancras Tube station (Piccadilly, Victoria, Northern, Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan lines) is a major interchange for several underground lines which makes it one of the best stations in central London to reach all parts of London.

Local buses

There are plenty of buses from Kings Cross (pdf).