A Guide to Traveling London through King’s Cross Station
For visiting London, proximity to King's Cross is the perfect location.An intersection of six tube lines, including the Northern, Picadilly,
and Circle Lines, to name a few, can get you virtually anywhere from
King's Cross. King's Cross is also a train terminal, in the case that
you are planning to visit the north of the UK. But let's not get off
track and get back to seeing London via King's Cross. London, the
cultural melting pot that it is, offers amazing and varied shops of
anything you could desire. Located near the major shopping zones of
London, both commercial and artisan, King's Cross is a convenient place
for a shopping tour in London. The city is also a magnet for great and
creative minds, as is well known by all the thinkers, writers and
artists who both came to and from London. The wide range of museums and
galleries reflects this intellectual breeding ground, and again, King's
Cross is a skip, hop and a jump away from many of these world-class
museums. Less conventional tours to start from King's Cross could
include a round of the city's parks, exploring the wide web of the tube
itself, or the nearby nightlife hotspots. So, whether it's shopping,
rich culture, or any fun explorations that you're after, King's Cross
will guide you there quickly and efficiently.
For the shoppers! Have an early and hearty breakfast (you will
need the energy) and put yourself on the Northern Line, heading for
Camden Town, where you will find open air markets selling art, crafts,
clothes, accessories and much more. It's best to spend time here in the
morning, as the area isn't the safest at night. After you've stocked up
on original craft gifts at the market, head back to your hotel, drop
them off, and back on the tube! Via the Picadilly Line, head towards
Covent Garden, a famous indoor market, and the surrounding area, full of
boutiques, shops, and nice cafes. This picturesque market makes a nice
lunch stop, with some cozy restaurants nearby. Picadilly Circus comes
next: very commercialized, with many well-known brand stores. Picadilly
is a fun place to return to at night, as the lights and pubs draw
partiers to them like moths to the flame! Head on to Knightsbridge to
see the world famous Harrod's Department store. After this detour, it's
on to Oxford Circus to join the crowded throng admiring and buying the
riches of Oxford Street, which is equivalent to New York's Fifth Ave, a
street of fancy department stores interspersed with chic shopping
boutiques. If your spending needs are still not satiated, check out
other markets, such as Portobello, or just by walking through London,
you will find hidden gems of stores throughout the city. If, however,
Oxford Street sums up the shopping day nicely for you, head back into
the Oxford Circus tube, and the Victoria Line will conveniently take you
right back to King's Cross.
For the culture seeker, you will start your day heading in the
opposite direction of the shopper. Head south on the Picadilly Line to
Russell Square, and just a few blocks south of the shady square is the
British Museum. After your explorations, you may also enjoy Covent
Garden for its history and theater – check out the listings as they may
draw you back in the evening. Nearby is Trafalgar Square, home of the
National Gallery. From here, continue on to Green Park, and gasp at the
size and beauty of Buckingham Palace. Changing of the Guard takes place
nearby, so check the season's schedule if you are interested. Slide
down the Jubilee Line to Southwark, and enjoy the neighboring Tate
Modern and Globe Theatre. Make your way back north of the river to
Tower Hill, and explore London's Tower. Take the Circle line back to
King's Cross to conclude the cultural loop.
The adventurer who wants to learn the city by randomly coming
across the interesting things may enjoy traveling from park to park,
always great for people watching and discovering the wide variety of
London's inhabitants. Regents, Hyde, Green, and St. James Parks are the
main ones, each with distinctive personalities. The Tube itself is
extremely interesting, and it's worth reading the entertaining
advertisements of the tube, listen to some talented and not-so-talented
musicians, pick out who the tourists are and who the natives are… the
tube can be really enjoyable during your voyage. Take advantage of
being in this unique London sub world! King's Cross is also nearby to
Leicester Square and Picadilly, both popular night out areas. Or try
traveling round Circle line and seeing how many pubs you can manage to
stop at… after which, see if you manage to find your way back to King's
Cross on this concentric line!
King's Cross, recently made famous through Harry Potter's platform
9 ¾, is more than a fictitious train platform. It's a station that
literally will get you anywhere in London (and beyond) very
conveniently. If you're visiting London to shop, to learn its culture,
or just to explore it for face value, King's Cross is the best starting
and ending point. You will get to where you need to go quickly, and at
the end of the long day, you won't have to wait long to be back at your
London home, sweet home.