There’s More than Trains in this Bustling District of North London

Kings Cross represents hot property thanks to massive investment and regeneration over the past decade.

Mention Kings Cross and you will almost certainly think of the famous railway station. It has been immortalised as one of the four stations on the Monopoly board, and in more recent years, tourists have flocked to take selfies at Platform 9¾, as featured in Harry Potter.

The area has a cultural history that goes back even further, however. It is reputed to be the location of the famous battle between the Romans and the Iceni tribe almost 2,000 years ago, and according to legend, Queen Boudica’s mortal remains lie somewhere deep beneath Platform Nine.

Little wonder, then, that the station is so well known. However, there is more to the area than that. Thanks to some major regeneration over the past 10-20 years, Kings Cross estate agents report that it has joined its better known neighbours of Islington, Camden and Barnsbury to become one of the sought after destinations to call home in North London. Let’s find out why.

Work and play

With Kings Cross St Pancras on your doorstep and Euston a short walk down the road, every underground line is at your feet, so commuters can be in any corner of London in a matter of minutes.

After a hard day’s work, the area has no shortage of venues to wind down and relax. Scala on Pentonville Road is a multi-purpose venue split across four floors, and is the place to be seen.

For food and drink, there is every sort of experience available, from fine dining at Marcus Wareing’s Michelin starred restaurant at the Railway Hotel to a quiet pint in a traditional back street pub. The Boot on Cromer Street is a great example, where a good pint and a warm welcome are guaranteed.

Schools

St Mary & St Pancras C of E Primary School is in Werrington Street, just to the rear of the British Library, and was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted. There are numerous other choices in the area that were rated “good.”

As far as comprehensives go, Elizabeth Garret Anderson School for Girls on Donegal Street, just heading out towards Islington, received an “outstanding” rating, as did The Camden School for Girls, which is on Sandall Road, to the north of the area.  Regent High (Charrington Street) and the City of London Academy Islington (Prebend Street) are both co-ed schools with “good” ratings.

Private schools in the Kings Cross area include The Gower School on Cynthia Street, Queen’s College on Harley Street and North Bridge House on Gloucester Avenue.

What to pay

One bedroom flats in the Kings Cross area start at around the £400,000 mark, while luxury penthouse apartments can change hands for up to £5 million.

If you are looking to rent, you can still find studio apartments on Caledonian Road for less than £1,000 per month, which represent incredible value for money. Two bedroom flats start at around £1,400 per month, while detached homes on the exclusive St Pancras Place development are being snapped up at almost £7,000 per month.