A place to wait comfortably at King's Cross

[maryd]

I have to make a trip to London in early May. Don't live there, don't know about the facilities. On the way back, I probably need to wait for a couple of hours at King's Cross, at a relatively busy time (4-6pm).

I have a chronic joint problem, and sitting for a couple of hours in a typical hard seat in a waiting room could leave me crippled for days afterward. Unfortunately this is a business trip, arranged through the office, so I cannot get a first class ticket. In airports, I normally solve this by paying by myself for access to lounges, most places will let you do that for something like 25-40 pounds, so that I can sit on a comfortable sofa if I have to wait. This is of course an expensive solution, but better that than pain. But as far as I can tell, National Rail does not sell passes to people without first class tickets.

Is there any place in King's Cross where I could sit and wait comfortably? Something like a coffee shop with enough armchairs so that I can actually hope to find one free at that time of the day?

 

[Mike395]

I have to make a trip to London in early May. Don't live there, don't know about the facilities. On the way back, I probably need to wait for a couple of hours at King's Cross, at a relatively busy time (4-6pm).

I have a chronic joint problem, and sitting for a couple of hours in a typical hard seat in a waiting room could leave me crippled for days afterward. Unfortunately this is a business trip, arranged through the office, so I cannot get a first class ticket. In airports, I normally solve this by paying by myself for access to lounges, most places will let you do that for something like 25-40 pounds, so that I can sit on a comfortable sofa if I have to wait. This is of course an expensive solution, but better that than pain. But as far as I can tell, National Rail does not sell passes to people without first class tickets.

Is there any place in King's Cross where I could sit and wait comfortably? Something like a coffee shop with enough armchairs so that I can actually hope to find one free at that time of the day?

Not so much at Kings Cross, but theres a really nice AMT coffee shop at St Pancras, with super comfortable seats, and it never seems to get too busy

Failing that you've also got the Betjeman Arms at the station too - a really nice station pub

 

[Anon Mouse]

The Flying Scotsman near to the old Thameslink Station.........

 

[telstarbox]

Hi Mary and welcome to the forum.

If you have standard class tickets, you can go next door to St Pancras station and use the first class lounge there by paying £5. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk from there back to Kings Cross.

It's open until 8pm and for your £5 you get hot drinks, afternoon wine (I think?), newspapers and free wifi. More details here:

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/yourjourney/Pages/firstclass.aspx?page=Lounges

Alternatively, there's a decent Spanish cafe/bar called Camino just to the east of Kings Cross:

http://www.camino.uk.com/kingscross

 

[DarloRich]

I would sit in St Pancras or just go to the pub!

Kings Cross is being rebuilt so is a bit of a mess right now

 

[philjo]

You could try the Booking Office Bar or the bar in the Gilbert Scott Restaurant inside the refurbished St Pancras Hotel - it opens on 5th May.
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/

There is also a good coffee shop with seating inside the British Library.

 

[telstarbox]

Compared to Victoria or London Bridge, you're spoilt for choice!

 

[Daimler]

I would echo the numerous posters above recommending St. Pancras - there are at least a dozen restaurants/cafes to choose from, all in a splendid setting only a minute or two's walk from King's Cross itself.

 

[Anon Mouse]

I would echo the numerous posters above recommending St. Pancras - there are at least a dozen restaurants/cafes to choose from, all in a splendid setting only a minute or two's walk from King's Cross itself.

Not as classy as The Flying Scotsman!

 

[TomJ93]

Go to St Pancras, I really liked the Betjeman arms, leave about 15minutes before your train is due to leave and go and sit on the rather comfy mallard seats.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

If the weather is good and you'd rather be out-doors, then just beyond St. Pancras there's the British Library with an outdoor area with seats both in the cafe (partly covered) and out on the patio. The patio seats are hard. The Brit.Library is still on the same side of Euston Road as Kings Cross station.

 

[Bald Rick]

It's mentioned above, but Camino is a cracking bar, quiet in the day (not in the evening) plenty of space. Just across York Road, past Pret and turn left into the passageway. The Pret is a bit claustrophobic but comfy enough.

 

[pendolino]

Another vote for the Betjeman Arms here. Remember to go and say hello to the great man himself while you're there, although he'll probably ignore you as he always does me, too busy gazing up in wonder at Barlow's train shed. Which is fair enough I suppose.

 

[maryd]

Thanks a lot everyone! I think I will go with one of the St. Pancras options - just go there to start with, and walk over to King's Cross once it's time for my train. It's a big relief to have a plan