Area around Kings Cross Station

We've stayed near King's Cross and further south around Holborn. We really like the walk ability and frequent busses that connect these areas with central London. Be sure to pop in to see the British Library's wonderful collection--something for every interest! Spend some time south of the British Museum in the Seven Dials neighborhood--nice little restaurants and shops. Have fun!

It is a vastly changed area immediately around KX from a few years ago when addicts and prostitutes were every couple of feet.

Now the area towards the Regents Canal and the basin, west of The Cale (Caledonian Road) is trying to gentrify, and there are lots of live aboard narrowboats on the water and loads of hipster eateries all around there, particularly popular at lunch.

The Cale is trying, but manifestly failing, to pull itself up, and the area east of there is worth checking on streetview before venturing in randomly.

West of KX is St Pancras International station which has plenty of commuter and visitor friendly eateries of the large and small chain variety as well as Boots and a Marks and Spencer, both under the Southeastern Train High Speed Javelin trains.

KX itself has been extensively remodelled and upstairs are 8 to 10 eateries.

Beyond St Pancras is the British Library and then one gentrified yet traditional street and then the area around Euston Station.

Northwest of KX and St Pancras, between them and Euston Station is a housing estate that I have walked through and which is fine during the day but I would be unlikely to walk through there at night.

Across Euston Road (the big road joining all the stations on the north side of London) is a Premier Inn that I have heard very good things about and then the beginnings of Fitzrovia and then Bloomsbury. There is also a Travelodge about which I have heard nothing bad.

Below the Cale, heading south towards The City is Grays Inn Road with a decent French bakery and a lot of cheap hotels, some of which back onto the open space above the subsurface Underground lines of the Circle Line, Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan Lines. Fine in the daytime, I don't know at night.

Generally much better than it used to be, worth keeping your eyes open as you would in any city, particularly near stations, and should be fine.

Where will you be?

Thanks for your replies. As I mentioned, we always stay in Kensington and walk so much during the day and at night. Interesting to hear some of your comments, Nigel. I hadn't given any thought that this area might not be the safest. I had initially reserved a hotel in Kensington and just yesterday changed it to the Premier Inn at Kings Cross. We will only be there 2 nights and then will be taking the train north. I thought this would be much more convenient for catching our train in the morning. We will be spending the days elsewhere in London. Thanks.

We stayed about half way between Euston Road and Russell Square underground station. About 2 blocks north of Russell Square we found a block of restaurants and small shops. There is a Pret a Manger on the south side of Euston Road if you go west from King's Cross where we had a light supper our first night. We also chose this location for the convenience of taking an early morning train north.

I second visiting the British Library. We loved the special exhibit on the Magna Carta ( 800 years old in 2015)

We did not have any safety issues. I was there with my family. I would stay there again.

Our preferred neighborhood to stay in while visiting London is Bloomsbury. We've walked to and from the train station to/from our hotel a number of times; it's a longish walk, but doable. Bloomsbury is safe, interesting and convenient for many other sites. And of course there's the British Museum right there!

King's Cross has now become a cultural quarter with lots of arts and academic institutions. The southern end of Caledonian Road is now a restaurant alley. The developments north of the canal have transformed that part of the area. Have a look at http://www.visitkingscross.com for information about tourist attractions in King's Cross.

Thanks for sending me the link, Martin. I see several things on it that I know we will want to see.

I stayed at the Hilton Isliington a few years ago because it was walkable to King's Cross. I'd mention the dance performances programmed all season at the world-famous Sadler's Wells theater. Part of my walk was the charming if touristy Camden Passage. Naturally you may not care for dance as much as do I.