Last year, as I realized that I was stuck on St. Pancras International for some hours, I was not worrying too much. St. Pancras is located near King’s Cross Station. As a Harry Potter fan, I wanted to use the occasion to look for the Platform 9 3/4, which I found by the way (>>>). But it also turned out that St. Pancras is quite a beautiful place to walk around, too.
St. Pancras International is a huge London railway station hosting Euro Star trains (trains on the first floor, the entrance at the ground level), Thameslink connections (underground) and high-speed trains (ground level). It is located near the Kings Cross station (practically across the street).
St Pancras International was first opened in 1868. It is a historic symbol of Victorian railway architecture. Initially designed by William Henry Barlow and George Gilbert Scott for the Midland Railway, it featured the world’s largest single-span roof, showcasing exceptional engineering of its era. An integral part of St Pancras station, form its beginning was the the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, originally known as the Midland Grand Hotel. Designed by the eminent architect George Gilbert Scott, the hotel was built alongside the station in the Victorian era and opened in 1873, five years after the station itself. The hotel’s elaborate Victorian Gothic Revival architecture was intended to complement the station, reflecting the grand ambitions of the Midland Railway company to make a bold architectural statement. This architectural style is characterized by its ornate and elaborate design, drawing inspiration from medieval Gothic architecture, yet incorporating the technological advancements of the Victorian era. The station’s distinctive features, such as the red brick façade, pointed arches, and detailed stonework, are hallmarks of the Victorian Gothic Revival style.
The station experienced a period of decline in the 20th century, The hotel was closed in the 1930s and later used as railway offices. The station was facing potential demolition in the 1960s. This threat sparked widespread conservation efforts, leading to its designation as a Grade I listed building (in the UK it is the highest designation and is reserved for buildings of the utmost historical or architectural significance). The station’s revival began in the 21st century, transforming into an international hub with the arrival of Eurostar services in 2007. The St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, reopened in 2011 after an extensive restoration and renovation project that began around 2004.
Today the station is a combination of modern solutions and Victorian architecture. A huge and splendid building, Victorian style is neighboring the station at its front. It is considered an integral part of the station. It is a hotel (St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, formerly Midland Grand Hotel), in short, called ‘the chambers’ as for some time the building was turned into railway offices.
There are some lovely pieces of art inside. A massive sculpture of a couple in love is located precisely at the front of the Eurostar platform on the station upper level. The official name of this 9-meter tall bronze statue by Paul Day is ‘the Meeting Place‘. Was unveiled 8 years ago during a re-opening ceremony of the station and the official launch of the Eurostar trains in London. Its foot is decorated by reliefs.
You can also see a man in a hurry, who – seemingly – looks up to check the train timetable. The St. Pancras website says the man was Sir John Betjeman, a famous poet and a railway enthusiast, who engaged himself to save the Station from demolition. At a ground level, you can listen to some piano music performed live – a piano, bit used but still in good shape, is available to those who would like to play publicly.
St Pancras together with the adjacent King’s Cross Station in London, serve as a significant transportation hub. St Pancras hosts international Eurostar services alongside domestic trains, while King’s Cross is a crucial junction for UK rail services and the London Underground.