St Pancras railway station, better known simply as London St Pancras, is a major railway terminus located at the heart of the borough of Camden, North London. Perhaps most famous as the centre of operations for Eurostar services to Belgium, France and the Netherlands, St Pancras also runs services to the East Midlands, Kent and across London via the ThamesLink service.

Located close to the British Library and King's Cross railway station, St Pancras is built in the Gothic Revival style and dates back to the mid-19th century. In 2007, the station underwent an extensive refurbishment at £800 million. Today, London St Pancras is a bustling international train station with a quality collection of shops, restaurants and bars.

London St Pancras International Station - one of the highlights of 10 Main Railway Stations in London (Read all about London here)

What are the highlights of London St Pancras?

Since its extensive refurbishment in 2007, St Pancras can lay claim to being one of London’s best railway stations. Packed with chic stores, great restaurants and a range of bars, this is far from your average rail terminus. Whether that's shopping at Calvin Klein, picking up classic French scents at Chanel or keeping things distinctly British with gourmet purveyors Fortnum & Mason, the station caters to many kinds of shopper.

London St Pancras also boasts a range of historical highlights to keep you occupied while waiting for a train or the arrival of loved ones. Chief among these are the station’s famous clocks, the water fountain, and the Meeting Place statue. Designed to evoke the romance of travel, this sculpture of a couple locked in embrace has become an icon since it was unveiled in 2007. Then, there is the statue of Sir John Betjeman, an English poet who helped save St Pancras from demolition in the 1970s and championed the restoration of Victorian architecture.

photo by Ingolf (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

Where to eat and drink at London St Pancras

London St Pancras is rich in options when it comes to dining and drinking. Pubs like The Barrel Vault and The Betjeman Arms offer a taste of British food and drink, great for filling up before a long journey.

Somewhat more refined an option, Searcys Brasserie & Champagne Bar is famous for being the longest champagne bar in Europe. This spot is ideal for those seeking a touch of luxury before or after a train journey. Indeed, the place is just as popular with those who aren’t travelling! With 1920s-inspired decor, an opulent menu and heated leather seats, a visit to Searcys is a cultural experience in itself.

Excellent dining options include Kineya Mugimaru for delicious Japanese noodles, Sourced Market for bagels, or Prime Burger for some of London’s juiciest patties. The Hansom is the ideal spot for a Great British cocktail before a journey across the English Channel.

Good to know about St Pancras

Sharing an Underground station with Kings Cross, St Pancras is one of London’s best-connected underground station. 6 lines run through this international hub, namely Circle, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Metropolitan and Victoria. Situated in the northern area of Central London, St Pancras is very easy to reach.

Travellers using the international services of Eurostar should make sure to arrive in good time for their trip, as queues can get long due to border control regulations.

The station is open 24 hours a day. There are many hotels options in the vicinity, ideal for those arriving late at night or travellers who need to catch an early train either overseas or via national services across Britain. Anyone with time to kill could head next door to The British Library, which has over 14 million books and hosts regular literary exhibitions.

London St Pancras International Station

Location: Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QP, UK

Phone: +44 (0)20 7843 7688

James Connolly | Guest Writer