We are arriving at Heathrow around 10:30 am on a Monday in September. We will be making our way to Kings Cross to end our journey in York. I'd like to spend a few hours in London before boarding the train. This will mostly be to stretch our legs after the flight, and to help fight jet lag. Any great, inexpensive pub, with good food (not microwaved stuff) we could stop at(even a non-pub if it's inexpensive and good)? Also, are there any places we could take a brief walk that would prove interesting? Please bear in mind that we do plan to spend a few days in London at the end of our vacation for the real sightseeing stuff. This request is mostly for fighting jet lag, and leg-stretching, somewhere between LHR & Kings Cross. Thanks all.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Please DO NOT use the British Library lockers as left luggage, the library's readers need to use them.
Unfortunately the Harry Potter stuff at Kings Cross has been a casualty of the current reconstruction of the station.
Posted by
OP
Union, Maine, USA
95 posts
Hmmmm.....I've just realized that we will each have our bags with us. Perhaps then, we'll make our way directly to Kings Cross and put them in lockers, and then strike out. So the above question is revised to the Kings Cross area...
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
The possibilities are endless:) Close to Kings Cross: the new St Pancras station (adjacent to KC) is amazing, and beautiful; you could easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the station, lots of places to eat. Just down the street is the British Library, their current exhibit is Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art. A short walk from the library is the Wellcome Collection. A small but very modern museum about all things related to medicine (you don't have to be a medical student to appreciate it:)):
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/
From there the British Museum is within walking distance, or Madame Tussaus/London Zoo/Sherlock Holmes museum are just a couple of Tube stops away or a short ride on one of the Euston Rd. busses.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1863 posts
Hello Diane,
We are doing exactly the same thing in a few weeks. Our time frame is arrive LHR 7:30, train to York 1:45. We have been told we would have enough time to visit the British Library and get a quick lunch in the station. There are left-luggage facilities at Kings Cross. St. Pancras station, across a very busy street from Kings Cross, is beautifully renovated. Walk past the Eurostar area and you get to the rest of the station which has restaurants, a few shops, and lots of interesting art work.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
the British Library or British Museum would be good choices since they are right next to the station and they are free
The British Library is next to King Cross/St Pancras, the British Museum is a 30 minute walk away.
Posted by
Brangwin, Wa, USA
349 posts
does the canal system have an interest to you (I find it quite interesting) There is a canal museum very near Kings Cross a little somewhat hidden London back door experience
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2776 posts
Don't try the British Museum when you have jet lag. It is huge and overwhelming. I just adore it, but you need some energy to tackle it. The British Library is wonderful and much smaller and more managable. You should probably try to spend some time outside in the sunshine (if you should be so lucky). Regents Park is in the are (not sure how far). It is my favorite park in London. Not too big and very pretty.