Fun and Unusual Things to do in Kings Cross,UK

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[{"address":"Joseph Grimaldi Park","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.5323438199874,"longitude":-0.11515984999999063},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Jump Up and Down on a Grave\nNo, I haven’t suddenly gone all disrespectful. These gravestones are made to be stepped on as they honour musician Charles Dibdin and Joseph Grimaldi, one of the world’s most famous clowns.\nGrimaldi is buried in what was a cemetery, but is now a small park, called Joseph Grimaldi Park, located a short walk east of Kings Cross station along Pentonville Road.\n\nWhile his actual grave is fenced off in the middle of the park, as part of his memorial there are two coffin-shaped pieces of metal on the ground, which, if you walk, jump or dance on them, play music.\n\nGo, jump up and down, have fun! And add grave dancing to your list of unusual things to do in Kings Cross"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F2.webp?alt=media&token=aa5c4bb4-faa2-4959-8569-7fe4e5aa1b5b"},{"type":"link","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/5aZbuk9hpYYyQu3WA"}]},{"address":"London Canal Museum","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.534240019988765,"longitude":-0.11999479999999618},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Visit The Ice Well\nA short walk along the canal towpath (and a back double through a few backstreets) takes you to the London Canal Museum which explores the important role the canal played in London’s trade back in the day – and gives you a chance to peer down one of London’s original ice wells…\n\nOkay, so when you arrive you’ll wonder why I’ve sent you to look at a big hole in the ground on your holiday – but bear with me!\n\nBefore refrigeration this well supplied much of London with ice – and not just restaurants or shops, but also hospitals where it was used to treat sprains and strains – and numb pain before some surgeries!\nThe ice wasn’t made in London though – it was cut in Norway and shipped all the way to the docks in London, where it was then carried by horse and cart to the well here where it was stored.\n\nI find that strangely fascinating!\n\nThe Museum also offers boat trips along the canal so if you want to float around the area while you learn things about it, go on one of the days they’re running. "},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F8.webp?alt=media&token=1bd1ae45-261e-4a2c-a923-2e15fe5777f7"},{"type":"link","content":"https://g.page/canalmus?share"}]},{"address":"Morty & Bob's","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10218818160659443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.536226619990195,"longitude":-0.12619074999998148},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Eat an Awesome Cheese Sandwich\nIt’s gooey, very, very gooey – and if you’re been partaking in some of London’s finer hostelries the night before, it’s fantastic hangover food.\n\nI’m talking about the cheese toastie from Morty and Bobs in Coal Drops Yard.\nYou can pick from a plain simple one with grilled onions, or gussy things up with mushroom and truffle or some bacon.\n\nI was set for the day after mine\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F9.webp?alt=media&token=3b31dec8-ae15-4e15-a0e4-ba3889dbd077"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.mortyandbobs.com/"},{"type":"text","content":"You’ll find no end of bars and restaurants in Kings Cross. Highlights include The Lighterman, Casa Pastor, Coal Office and Granary Square Brasserie.\n\nIf you’re looking for something that’s fun as well as filling, check out Longboys – who offer gourmet eclair-shaped doughnuts full of intriguing yumminess (how good does the one below look).\nIf you’re looking for somewhere unusual but a bit swish, check out The Booking Office – located in the actual old booking office at St Pancras."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F9.1.webp?alt=media&token=fd80d2de-d4dc-4a82-b589-5bc1d7502ee3"}]},{"address":"St Pancras Lock","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53608941999012,"longitude":-0.12782359999999215},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Wander Around the Canal\nAs I said, I lived in London for a long time when Kings Cross was rather dodgy and didn’t even know there WAS a canal and I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to wander down it with a coffee on a Sunday.\n\nNow, the whole area has opened up and is home to quaint locks, canal boat tours, floating shops and idyllic looking house boats.\nYou can wander down the main towpath past the floating book shop and down to York Way, or head up to St Pancras Lock (which also takes you toward the Hardy Tree).\n\nI was fascinated by the new apartments up here – they’ve actually been built in the old gas towers. Look how cool are they\nThere’s also a small nature park around here – it was closed when I visited but normally the Camley Street Natural Park is home to waterbirds and butterflies and even has a stylish architect-designed floating observation platform.\n\nThey’re building a new visitors centre – which is why they were closed."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F7.webp?alt=media&token=1d532ea2-bc30-4430-86e5-e0b8672982f8"},{"type":"link","content":"https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F7.1.webp?alt=media&token=a3c52aff-6549-41cc-bcd8-713b82b2e2c0"}]},{"address":"St Pancras Old Church","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53488611998924,"longitude":-0.1305210499999987},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# See the Tree Surrounded by Gravestones\nLocated in the graveyard that surrounds the St Pancras Old Church, The Hardy Tree is one of the more quirky things to do near Kings Cross.\n\nIt’s named after the author Thomas Hardy, who accidentally created it. You see, Hardy wasn’t trying to create something that was going to hang around for a hundred more years, he was just having a bit of a clear up at work!\nBefore he started writing, Hardy worked for an architect.\n\nWhen the railway was being built, it was to run through a cemetery and Hardy was in charge of exhuming bodies and moving their gravestones. For reasons unknown, he stacked a whole load of them around an old ash tree – and now, 160 years later, they’re still there – although fenced off as the tree is not as healthy as it was in Hardy’s day.\n\nThere’s a few other notable graves in the cemetery included one that it’s said the red phone box is based upon.\n\nThe Burdett-Coutts Memorial Sundial in the park is also worth a look. It’s in memory of those whose body’s were moved for the railway – the animal sculptures around the edge are a bit quirky!"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F6.webp?alt=media&token=0f39e607-8b20-4780-b223-deb8c5435da3"},{"type":"link","content":"https://stpancrasoldchurch.posp.co.uk/"}]},{"address":"The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10218818160659443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.532154369987275,"longitude":-0.1247361000000069},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Pay Homage to Platform 9 and 3/4\nFor anyone living under a rock for the last 20 odd years, Kings Cross station is home to the fictional (or is it?) platform 9 and 3/4 from which young witches and wizards embark on their journey to Hogwarts, as such it’s a must-stop for any Harry Potter fan.\nYou can have your picture taken pushing your suitcase through the wall and stock up with merchandise from the Harry Potter shop."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F10.webp?alt=media&token=9b7452c8-96c1-488f-86b9-4c0892f3fcf3"},{"type":"link","content":"https://harrypottershop.co.uk/"}]},{"address":"Kings Cross Station","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53146681998679,"longitude":-0.12473924999998776},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Make Up a Story for The Lighthouse\nCome out of Kings Cross station and cross the road to head to Grays Inn Road, look up – there above the Five Guys is a lighthouse.\n\nExactly why, no-one completely knows – although the most likely rumour is there used to be an oyster bar on the site, but as no-one knows, why not make up your own story.\n\nMaybe Kings Cross used to be a giant inland sea or it’s up there to direct alien spacecraft."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F1.webp?alt=media&token=e1535da6-3149-4b88-bf1b-35da233f4637"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.landmarkspace.co.uk/locations/london-kings-cross/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic"}]},{"address":"St Pancras International","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10218818160659443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53155541998687,"longitude":-0.12558300000001577},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Check Out the Lights at The Kings Cross Tunnel\nThis space age walkway takes you to the underground from the One St Pancras Building.\n It’s one of Europe’s longest light walls and contains 190 glowing panels.\nIt’s open seven days a week from 7am to 8pm"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F11.webp?alt=media&token=954d487f-ee18-4e20-b6f2-11365e3356f4"},{"type":"link","content":"11.\thttps://www.theofficegroup.com/uk/the-gridiron-building?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=gridiron-building"}]},{"address":"Saint Pancras Station","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53110861998652,"longitude":-0.12539845000001382},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Think Pink at EL&N\nThere’s pink poodles, pink suitcases, pink signs and even pink lattes at this latest outpost of super cute cafe EL&N in St Pancras station.\nIf you’re wanting to top up your Instagram feed, love pink and want to tick off the fun things to do in Kings Cross part of the title – you’re going to want to head in and check it out.\n\nIt’s open from 7am to 8pm. seven days a week.\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F5.webp?alt=media&token=377e58ca-6e8e-4130-a3be-89217eead86d"},{"type":"link","content":"https://elnlondon.com/"}]},{"address":"St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53120496998661,"longitude":-0.1267860499999962},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Drink at the Longest Champagne Bar in Europe\nLocated right in the middle of St Pancras station is the 98 metres of booths and bar that make up the St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys, and that makes it, reportedly, the longest champagne bar in Europe.\nThere’s a huge selection of drinks to choose from and don’t worry, you can buy fizz by the glass if your budget won’t stretch to a bottle and watch the trains come and go from the Eurostar Terminal.\n\nWhile you’re there, look up toward the clock at the front of the station and you might notice something interesting.\n\nThe area is home to artworks by the Terrace Wires group that are suspended from the roof.\nWhen I was there the work was Tracey Emin’s ode to Europe, the words I Want My Time With You in pink neon – but that was scheduled to come down in June 2020 so, by the time you read this, there might be something totally new there.\nTaling of art, check out the giant kissing couple. This is The Meeting Place by artist Paul Day. It’s supposed to depict the romantic side of travel…hmm, have they been on a British train? Maybe it just relates to the Eurostar."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F4.webp?alt=media&token=9f0d45f0-d3fe-4d29-b2b1-eee805e5b95c"},{"type":"link","content":"https://stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk/"}]},{"address":"The British Library","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10234184804510059,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53043954507222,"longitude":-0.12751600000000085},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Go Backstage at the British Library\nI admit, touring the British Library wasn’t originally on my list of fun things to do in King’s Cross – I mean libraries aren’t normally that exciting – but this one is.\n\nNot only is it home to original copies of written works – including scraps of paper including original Beatles lyrics – that you can check out in their Treasures Room, the way the books arrive at the reading room is amazing.\nThey actually have a conveyor belt system that, combined with the talents of a host of librarians, means they can find any book from the eight storeys of subterranean shelves that lie underneath the library in a matter of minutes.\n\nThe Treasures Room is free to visit, but if you want to see the filing system, you’ll need to book on one of the daily tours.\nIf you’re looking for other museums near Kings Cross, the Foundling Museum and the Charles Dicken’s Museum are only a short walk away."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F14.webp?alt=media&token=8f80c2a2-7aee-42cd-89e4-ff452ee1ae1c"},{"type":"link","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/osfuoGLL6uaFjM8n8"}]},{"address":"The British Library","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10234184804510059,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.53043954507222,"longitude":-0.12751600000000085},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Listen to Isaac Newton\nThere’s a huge statue of Isaac Newton in the courtyard outside the British Libary – and, if you’ve got your smartphone handy, you can click on a courtyard and listen to him speak!\nIt’s part of an initiative called Talking Statues which aims to bring to live the stories of the figures around London (and other cities of the world). Famous British actors like Patrick Stewart, Damien Lewis and Prunella Scales bring life to figures.\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F15.webp?alt=media&token=197adcc1-ce78-41c8-b07c-5b3dc45bd2d0"},{"type":"link","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/5dP4CvHUGKY5eWSx9"}]},{"address":"St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.52969031998553,"longitude":-0.12589959999999234},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Visit the Spice Girls Staircase\nIf you’ve seen the Spice Girls video for Wannabe, you’ll remember it being filmed, at least in part on a very ornate staircase.\n\nThat staircase is found in what’s now the Renaissance St Pancras Hotel.\nTechnically, you have to be staying in the hotel to actually step on to it, but it’s feasible to wander past it.\n\nOh, and, if you now get the urge to watch the video, about 2.50 in, that ‘lady’ in the blonde wig and pink dress is an old friend of mine, DJ Barbie.\n\nI was cool once you know (or at least I knew people who were)."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F3.webp?alt=media&token=9fe5e7ba-b005-4034-92b9-6a440a40549f"},{"type":"link","content":"https://g.page/stpancrasren?share"}]},{"address":"St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10218818160659443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.52969031998553,"longitude":-0.12589959999999234},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Have Historical Afternoon Tea\nThe Hansom Bar at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is inspired by the railway history of the area.\n\nAs well as the normal sandwiches and scones, you’ll be able to nibble on Chocolate and Rapsberry ‘coal’ Clusters inspired by the fuel that used to power the area; the sprinkles on the Bakewell Tart reflect the famous blue ironwork of St Pancras Station and there’s a few other touches that I won’t spoil for you.\n\nThe tea is available Friday – Sunday at the Hansom Lounge"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F12.webp?alt=media&token=7f02763a-14b0-4d51-9a8c-7e75d80733cb"},{"type":"link","content":"https://g.page/stpancrasren?share"}]},{"address":"Wellcome Collection","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10234184804510059,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.526029019982886,"longitude":-0.1339775999999837},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Marvel at the Medical Equipment\nThe Wellcome Collection, is a little bit further west that most of the things in this post – technically you could say it’s in Euston, but as I’m not doing a Euston post, and when it comes to the most unusual things to do in London, this one is definitely up there, it’s going to have its home here.\nIt describes itself as a museum for the incurably curious and it contain hundreds of exhiibits on medicine, health and the human body.\n\nThey also do tours if you want to find out more about what, why and how the collection exists."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F13.webp?alt=media&token=98f6181c-8743-41bd-a5a0-1c5509dcd8c0"},{"type":"link","content":"https://wellcomecollection.org/"}]},{"address":"Wellcome Collection","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10234184804510059,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":51.526029019982886,"longitude":-0.1339775999999837},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"# Check out Art in a Crypt\nWhile the Hardy Tree is located in the grounds of St Pancras Old Church, the St Pancras New Church located on Euston Road on the way to the Wellcome Collection is also worth a look.\n\nThe outside looks like it escaped from Ancient Greece with columns and caryatid figures inspired by those at the Acropolis. At the time of building it was the most expensive church built in the capital since St Pauls.\n\nIf the outside wasn’t unusual enough, inside, you’ll find a crypt housing 557 bodies that also regularly hosts art exhibits."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FZCNqR45rZGYPsBFgkiNV%2F16.jpg?alt=media&token=16781d93-d84e-4ddf-a826-b60c2fbe291a"},{"type":"link","content":"https://g.page/explorewellcome?share"}]}]