This is arguably our boldest outing yet for it took us among greater concentrations of people than we have faced since the onset of lockdown. Our destination was nothing less than King’s Cross Station where we hoped to obtain information about the current rules for train travel.

The Lexington

We set off down Pentonville Road towards the two stations, King’s Cross and St Pancras that had been built by rival railway companies. The Lexington is a slightly strange establishment than has known many incarnations and names. We haven’t visited it since the day, years ago, when we went in to escape the rain and ordered coffee, for which the barman refused all payment.

Pentonville Road

This view shows how Pentonville Road drives in more or less a straight line towards the stations. It makes the walk easier by sloping gently downwards but you pay for that later when you have climb the hill on the homeward journey!

Old Scottish Stores

This extraordinary building at 272-276 Pentonville Road was built in 1900-1 as the Scottish Stores. When it ceased to be that, I do not know, but today it includes a hostel and a pub and possibly other businesses. It is Grade II listed.

St Pancras (left) and King’s Cross

Here we are approaching the two stations. There is no doubt, as far as I am concerned, that St Pancras is the more beautiful, though some might disagree. The appearance of King’s Cross has been improved in recent years by the removal of the clutter of unpleasant buildings that occupied the forecourt. Unfortunately, the fine open space that resulted is again being cluttered up with various unsightly structures.

The Lighthouse

Looking back the way we have come presents a view of the Lighthouse. This came into being years ago when it was added by the nightclub that operated within the building. I don’t know what people thought of it at the time but over the years it has become a familiar landmark, so much so that when the building was extensively refurbished and restored recently, the Lighthouse was restored along with the rest. It now seems safe for years to come.

A view if the front of King’s Cross Station

Depending on your taste in architecture, this view along the front of King’s Cross Station may please you with its simple elegance or strike you as plain and utilitarian.

King’s Cross Clock Tower

Two stations, two clock towers. At least while here you are never at a loss to know what time it is!

King’s Cross ticket hall

Tigger had a simple question to ask: “Under current rules, is leisure travel by rail permitted?” She put the question to two members if the station staff, one of them a ticket clerk, but neither felt able to vouchsafe an answer. So we left with the issue unresolved.

Sir Nigel Gresley

This slightly larger than lifesize statue is of Sir Nigel Gresley (1876-1941) who was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Northern Railway and then of the London & North Eastern Railway, in which role he designed locomotives, including the world famous Flying Scotsman.

Armed Police Officers

As we left the station we encountered two armed police officers on patrol. They each carried a larger weapon and had a pistol at their side. They seemed cheerful but kept a close eye on all the activity around them.

Travelodge Hotel

We walked into King’s Cross Road where Travelodge inhabits this handsome building with a notable sculpture of Mercury on the roof. I don’t yet know anything about the origin and history of this building but I will keep on searching.

Surgeon Accoucheur’s Plate

We entered Great Percy Street and started up its hilly length. Just before we reached Percy Circus, Tigger spotted this plaque on a house wall. It had been painted over and is easy to miss but the inscribed letters can be read:

Surgeon
Accoucheur

An “accoucheur” was a male midwife. In the 18th into the 19th century one often finds records of men with medical training, and therefore advertising themselves as “surgeon”, also claiming the titles of apothecary and accoucheur. So we therefore deduce that soon after the houses of Percy Circle were built (1841-53), this house was occupied by a man offering the services of surgeon (doctor) and midwife.

Percy Circus garden

Having climbed the hill of Great Percy Street thus far, it was with relief that we entered the garden of Percy Circus and sat in a bench.

We sat for quite a while, resting and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the garden. It had to end, though, and we regretfully took our leave and continued on our way to Amwell Street.

At Myddelton’s we bought our usual coffees and then made for home.