The Tours

We have a fantastic line up of tours guided by an industrial archeologist and other specialists. They’ll show you around, take you behind the scenes and give you the low-down on this fascinating part of London.

The Energy Centre (1.5 hrs)

King's Cross is one of the most energy-efficient developments in the UK and the Energy Centre is the powerhouse that drives sustainability and carbon efficiency here. Join us, as we take you on a tour of the centre with its huge, gas-powered Jenbacher reciprocating engines. These two engines generate electricity for the site and is sold to certain buildings at Kings Cross as part of the Private Wire Network and also back onto the National Grid, the excess heat generated from the engines is captured by heat recovery systems and used to provide comfort heating and hot water. This district-wide energy system is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and is also the first site in Great Britain to be run on green gas reducing its carbon footprint by over 50% per annum.

Accessibility: This tour is not fully accessible due to stairs. No under 16s. Personal protective equipment is required for the tour (helmet and hi-viz jacket) and this will be provided. Please note attendees must wear sensible footwear - no open-toed shoes/sandals. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact the Visitor Centre on visitor.centre@kingscross.co.uk or call 020 3479 1795.

Archeology and Industrial Heritage Tour (1 hour)

Join Industrial Archeologist, Rebecca Haslam, as she explores the history and evolution of the Goods Yard, from its inception under the Great Northern Railway to its demise in the post-war period.
Rebecca will look at how the Goods Yard was built, and how it functioned as a rail, road and canal interchange to meet the growing demands of London during the 19th and 20th centuries. The tour will explore the impact of the aerial bombardment of the Second World War and the area’s decline in the second half of the 20th Century. Rebecca will look at how this wonderful complex came close to being lost to vandalism and decay, before being sensitively restored and given a new lease of life as part of the current redevelopment. Don’t miss this fascinating tour!

Accessibility: This tour is accessible for all and open to all ages. Children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult during the tour. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact the Visitor Centre on visitor.centre@kingscross.co.uk or call 020 3479 1795.

Kings Cross Gardens & Roof Top Tour (2 hrs)

A wonderful opportunity to take a gardens and public squares tour through the Estate, starting with the Vertical Meadow at Battlebridge Square. Followed by a walk through Pancras Square before going up to the 10th floor roof gardens and ponds of No 4 with their fantastic views across the Estate (roof top access will be weather dependent) . From there, Des Smith (Head Gardener) and Alistair Law (Founder of Vertical Meadow) will lead the group towards the north of the Estate taking in the planting along Bagley Walk, through to Gasholder Park, to Canal Reach and along Handyside Street to Jellicoe Gardens.