Remarkable Victorian design and marvellous feats of engineering are on abundant display at St. Pancras International, where visitors can book a walking tour to explore the rich heritage of one of the most iconic stations in the world.
Those embarking on these special tours will be introduced to the history of the railways in the 19th century and the engineering and architectural details required to build such a beautiful building; the story of the station’s decline in the 20th century, including the campaign to preserve it from demolition; and its triumphant rebirth in the 21st century as the new London terminal for High Speed One and a modern day cultural, arts and retail hub.
A Tour and Delicious Meal Offering
To celebrate the heritage of the station St. Pancras International has teamed up with St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys to offer a history tour of the building with a difference. For the first 40 bookings made for Saturday 6th July, visitors will be able to enjoy a 3-course set menu and a glass of English sparkling wine at St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar for just £29.00 per person. Details include:
Simply use the booking form here to reserve your place.
Please specify in the comments 11:00 or 14:00 for the tour on Saturday 6th July.
The cost for the tour is £10.00 per person.
Payment to be made to the guide in cash on the day, where you will then receive your voucher card to redeem at St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys.
The meeting place for these tours is outside the National Rail Ticket Office on the ground floor of the station concourse, adjacent to the entrance to Thameslink.
The precise location of the ticket office is also shown on the station map which can be found at: https://stpancras.com/getting-around
This promotion is only available for the first 40 bookings for 6th July 2024.
Details of Heritage Tour
Lasting up to 90-minutes, cultural enthusiasts on the tour will be awed by architectural highlights within the station, as well as famous artworks including installations by Dame Tracey Emin, with her ‘I Want My Time With You’ located beneath the impressive DENT London clock and above the iconic The Meeting Place Statue, plus the rise of St. Pancras’ contemporary retail offering in what used to be former beer cellars in the station’s main Arcade.
Built by Midland Railway Company and opening on 1st October 1868, the station was designed by William Henry Barlow and the hotel by George Gilbert Scott and was a product of collaboration between practical railway operational requirements and architectural detailing. Offering an impressive engineering solution to site constraints such as the Fleet sewer, the then new Metropolitan railway and importantly the Regent’s Canal, the station aimed to impress from the outset, offering one of the most important pieces of Gothic Revival architecture in the country. Materials including ironwork from Derby, Ancaster Limestone, Mansfield red sandstone, brickwork from Nottingham, and tiles from Stoke on Trent were all of extremely high quality and showcased the best products available in the Midlands.
One of six Grade I listed stations in England, the building is protected in law and any works require consent from Historic England and Camden Council. HS1, the station’s owners, recognise this importance by uniquely employing in house heritage specialists to guarantee that the interest of St. Pancras is protected – ensuring that all decisions about changes to the building are informed by an appropriate level of understanding of the significance of the station and its value.
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at HS1 Ltd., said: “St. Pancras International is a first-class exhibition of engineering achievements, architectural design and innovative use of materials within its geographic and historic context. We are delighted that people can experience the wonders of the station with unique heritage tours and what better way to round off these special tours than by enjoying a delicious meal and drink offering at the St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys.”
Today, the station thrives as a contemporary travel and retail destination. As well as being one of London’s most significant railway hubs, offering the UK’s only rail connection to mainland Europe alongside more sustainable travel options to Southeast England and the East Midlands, the venue has become an attraction in its own right. Known for its calendar of new and exciting arts and music experiences, plus its exemplary roster of premium shops, bars and restaurants all under one iconic roof, St. Pancras is a cultural and lifestyle hub.
You can learn more about how St. Pancras transformed from open fields and hamlet to dense urban development in the space of just over 150 years on the station’s website: St. Pancras International | Creating an Icon
