My favourite London ladies which one are you? II

Kings Cross a brief History:

This area is one of London’s oldest and has the train station St Pancreas International that is now the gateway to Europe with a fine selection of shop’s and deli’s inside. She is strong a beautifully designed (George Gilbert Scott, William Henry Barlow)and opened her doors for the first time in 10 October 1868. I did not have the honour to enjoy her in her original glory and neither have I now that she has been reinstated to her former glory but I have enjoyed a nice cuppa tea and pastry at the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel when the scaffolding came down. It was long awaited and worth the wait. Half of the building are private residence and the other half make out the 5 star romantic Hotel. The lobby of the private apartments look like giant luggage cases and straps it is something to behold.http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/

This area has been undergoing so much chance and the Central Saint Martin’s College of Art now house’s her building here along the regent’s canal. This was built were on a large piece of land that once housed some of the best spots to party the night away: The Cross, The Key,  Canvas . For 15 years these spots entertained the youth of London but before that it was a goods yard for the loads that were transported by way of the canal.

The Oyster-house lighthouse stands proud on Gray’s Inn road next to the Kings Cross rails station. When you look closely you can see the area on the top that resembles a light house but also take note of how deteriorated she is. This building is currently undergoing some improvements and I very much look forward to posting the changes when I am next in London. This area at the top shone a light so that all could see from far that there was food available, Oysters in this case. Some think is could have been a clock tower or camera obscura. Feel free to read David Hayes in Camden History Review (Vol 23), but no other conclusions are drawn.

Drink, shop and Do is not part of the local history but you feel like you stepped back in time in this tea room/ art & craft classes/ sweet shop. It is a great treat to go there in a group and they offer various options to keep everyone entertained while enjoy some tea from their wide variety. Give wonderland a go and fall down your own rabbit hole. (http://www.drinkshopdo.com)

Caledonian street has two hold ‘retailers’ that has stood the test of time the first is Housmans a bookseller that has been open since 1945, (http://www.housmans.com/index.php).  You can find any reading that you would expect not to. I once bought a feminist children’s book that was self illustrated with friendly characters and not the Bratz dolls that children have today.  There is so much more drop by and see if you of your beliefs have been published. The other one will be the intro into ‘Kings Cross by night’.