Short Term Lets in Kings Cross, London:
King's Cross
Many associate King’s Cross with its historic train station, made famous in recent times by Platform 9 & 3/4 , where fictional boy wizard Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express to begin his magical education. Since then, the neighbourhood’s offerings have expanded significantly with spots like Coals Drop Yard and Granary Square providing a plethora of fashionable shops, restaurants and bars.
Find your short term let in King's Cross here.
Restaurants
COAL OFFICE // coaloffice.com
Bold, memorable dishes, gorgeous interior decor (from award-winning designer Tom Dixon, no less) and delightful staff; this relatively new Middle-Eastern restaurant has been making ripples in the restaurant world since it’s opening in 2018. With near visionary dishes from chef Assaf Granit (formerly of The Palomar), the small, medium and large plates on offer here are both a delight for the eyes and the palate — even better, Mr Granit is more than happy to share the recipes for his creation, meaning you can (at least attempt to) recreate a little of the Coal Office magic in your own home.
HICCE // hicce.co.uk
The loft-style restaurant takes its name from Latin origin, which translates as ‘of the moment’ and the atmosphere here certainly reflects this during the dining hours. Head chef Pip Lacey, (formerly at Angela Hartnett’s Murano) is the brains behind the small-plates menu, with dishes cooked over a wood-fire stove. The must-try? The beef croquette with walnut pesto and celeriac. The attentive staff, lively tunes and sharing platters of delectable cheeses mean it is a great spot to enjoy for group dinners, again and again.
After Hours
CHAPEL DOWN GIN WORKS // chapelginworks.co.uk
Overlooking the gorgeous Regent’s canal, England’s leading winemaker has a plush new home in King’s Cross. Featuring two bars, a distillery and tasting room, along with three beautiful outdoor terraces overlooking the water.
GEORGE'S BAR // thegilbertscott.co.uk
The watering hole inside the fabulous Gilbert Scott restaurant (itself nestled inside the glittering St Pancras Renaissance Hotel), it’s recently undergone a subtle yet effective redesign, mimicking the grand cafes of Europe. The cocktail list promises “unique flavour combinations”, and bar manager Dav Eames centres a delicious new cocktail on the menu every month. For those interested in the recent boom in English sparkling wines, they also have an excellent selection here.
ANTHRACITE // anthracite.co.uk
Lately lauded as one of the best places to drink martinis in London, this chic bar has the added luxury of being mere metres from the Eurostar terminal. Okay, so you might find yourself in the company of rather a lot of men and women in sharp business suits, but the bright young things of Hoxton and Brixton aren’t the only interesting people in London. The expertly trained bartenders are able to perfectly tailor your drink to match your taste (Gin or vodka? Shaken or stirred?) before you step onto your 7pm to Paris (or Amsterdam, or Brussels…)
Available Short Term Lets in King's Cross
Art & Culture
THE HOUSE OF ILLUSTRATION // houseofillustration.co.uk
Founded by Quentin Blake, the House of Illustration is the only gallery dedicated solely to illustration and graphic art. Just a short walk from King’s Cross station, it holds exhibitions and drawing workshops- ideal for a family day out. For budding creatives, head to ‘Drink, Shop, Do’ for more artistic activities, in the café on Caledonian Road- complete with tea, cake and in-house bar.
THE BRITISH LIBRARY // bl.co.uk
In an impressive building, the British Library is the largest national library in the world for items catalogued. It is a great location to research and offers exhibitions of its collections, a sound archive and reading rooms.
PLATFORM 9 ¾’s // kingscross.co.uk
Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will no doubt recall King’s Cross station as the setting of Platform 9 ¾ ‘s- the gateway to Hogwarts. The magical trolley can be witnessed within the station itself, with an accompanying shop close by. Be warned: crowds of Potter superfans waiting for their chance to snap that perfect picture in front of the trolley rarely let up during the day, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
SPIRITLAND // spiritland.co.uk
This is not your average coffee shop. A cafe and workspace by day and a trendy bar by night, this achingly cool-space is also home to a radio studio (complete with BBC-trained technicians) — which you can peek into whilst you’re sipping your coffee.
CARAVANS // caravansrestaurant.co.uk
By now we know the New Zealanders do exquisite coffee, and this lovely little spot certainly doesn’t disappoint. Starting life in London’s legendary foodie hub Exmouth market it serves industrial-chic vibes alongside their gorgeous coffee. It’s become a bit of a hipster-hub over the last ten years with a young, freelancer-type crowd.
DRINK SHOP DO // drinkshopdo.co.uk
Great for a day out with children or friends alike, this colourful cafe offers a chance to get creative whilst you sip on a cup of Earl Grey. From flower arranging to jewellery making (and all the cake in between), afternoon tea just got interesting.
Stores
CARVANE @COAL DROPS YARD // carvane.co.uk
Looking for delightful textiles to adorn your home? Look no further than Carvane. If the wall of sumptuous cushions wasn’t enough to draw you, the modernist coffee tables, inviting armchairs and sought-after linen tablecloths will do the trick. Nestled into the heart of the Coal Drops Yard (restored railway arches, beautifully converted into designer stores, alongside slick wine bars and popular eateries), we feel right at home after visiting Carvane.
CANOPY MARKET // canopymarket.co.uk
Each weekend Canopy Market emerges from the corner of Granary Square, offering unique food, art and fashion stalls. Sample the delicious churros before perusing the hand-made jewellery, it is the ideal Saturday afternoon destination. Ideal for sourcing gifts to take home.
BLACKHORSE LANE ATELIERS // blackhorselaneateliers.co.uk
With the layout of a classic tailors, this store is worth visiting purely because it is the only jean atelier in London, originating from a factory in North East London’s Walthamstow in the 1920s. Whether seeking alterations on your trouser hem, or a hand-crafted pair of dark, raw-denim jeans, bespoke is the order of the day here.
