A brief introduction to King’s Cross
King’s Cross is one of the most rapidly growing area of London. Big business like Google has already chosen King’s Cross to be their new ‘headquarter’ area. This doesn’t mean that smaller businesses will not have any space but exactly the opposite, with lots of opportunities surrounding the area it's probably one of the best areas to locate your business.
Carry on reading if you want to know where to eat and drink, workout, shop and find some hidden gems in King’s Cross.
Food & Drink in King’s Cross
Vinoteca
This restaurant is the fifth and largest member of the Vinoteca family. It is located on King’s Boulevard, just in between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. It’s a large restaurant, with tall windows instead of walls and lounge-style outdoor seating.
Dishoom
Dishoom is one of the biggest and newest restaurants located in King’s Cross. Spread on 4 floors in the Granary building, you will not be disappointed. Dishoom is open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.
Caravan
A warehouse building with open kitchen and coffee roastery, big windows and lots of light coming in, Caravan is located in the revamped King’s Cross area. It’s an incredibly popular Sunday brunch destination and a place to get a bite during the week. In addition to the excellent brunch dishes, Caravan roast their own coffee, so bags of whole or ground coffee are available to buy from the café.
Health & Wellbeing
There are lots and lots of places in King’s Cross where you can start and increase your fitness level. There are lots of gyms and bootcamps with the best personal trainers available.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Billed as “The Best Workout in the World”, all sessions take place in a studio lit like a nightclub with a row of treadmills down the length of the wall with weights, steps and other equipment on the other side. The studio is in a great location, with top notch facilities and friendly staff. They even have a ‘Fuel Bar’ with all the options of protein shakes you could possibly desire.
Pancras Square Leisure
This beautiful new public leisure centre at Five Pancras Square features two swimming pools, a 90 station gym and two exercise studios with over 25 exercise classes a week to choose from. There’s also a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room to relax in after your workout. With drop in rates available, the centre is open all week for you to enjoy the facilities.
Urban Kings Gym
Urban Kings Gym is a specialist Mixed Martial Arts club offering a range of combat disciplines such as Boxing, Capoeira, Conditioning and Brazlian Jiu Jitsu with over 60 classes per week. Combat disciplines are a great way to get in shape while learning a skill which will increase self-confidence and help manage stress.
Shopping
King’s Cross is filled with fashion stores for men, women and children. Beauty stores for those who love makeup and cosmetics and of course special chocolate and sweet shops for those little treats in between breaks.
Fortnum & Mason
Located within St. Pancras station, it has a selection of teas, coffees, biscuits and sweets, just as you would find in the branch at Piccadilly. They offer an afternoon tea at the in-store café, while their mini-afternoon-hamper to take away is perfect for a train journey or a lunch.
Kiehl’s
The Kiehl’s store is located within King’s Cross St. Pancras station with helpful staff on hand to address any skin concerns you may have and find the right products to match these. The ranges are aimed at all different skin types and they also offer a selection of specially designed men’s products including the popular, ‘Facial Fuel’. This shop is the perfect stop for natural cosmetic products.
L.K. Bennet
L.K. Bennett is a British elegant luxury brand, focusing on women’s wear clothing, accessories and shoes. The brand is known for its ideals of femininity, colour and style.
Hidden gems of King’s Cross
The House of Illustration
Beside Central Saint Martins’ teaching spaces and workshops sits the House of Illustration. This London gallery contains a permanent collection of illustrated art, produced all over the world, and featuring works by British illustrators such as Quentin Blake and David Gentleman. The House of Illustration also hosts a series of talks by prominent illustrators and workshops for aspiring artists.
The secret garden at the British Library
Behind the magnificent, glass-entombed King’s Library Tower, at the heart of the British Library, is a set of unassuming stairs. Follow them up, past reading rooms and staff offices and you eventually find yourself in the Friends Room, beyond which is a true hidden gem – a secret roof garden. Ringed by climbing roses and benches, the garden is a peaceful place for reflection for those hard at work in the library.
