What is the difference between London Kings Cross and St Pancras?
Kings Cross Station was built by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) as the terminus for its London to York line and opened in 1852. St Pancras Station was built by the Midland Railway Company (MRC) as the terminus of their lines from Derby and opened in 1868.
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Midland spent years borrowing platforms at King's Cross and Euston, before eventually pouncing on some land to build its own terminus. And that's why there are two separate stations. And as to why they were so close, it was a simple matter of land availability in a rapidly-growing metropolis.
When you alight from a national rail train, simply walk to the end of the platform where you will find ticket barriers and an exit onto Kings Cross Square. Turn right and cross this large pedestrianised area, walking towards the grand red brick clock tower of St. Pancras hotel.
Due to the decline in freight transported by railway during the 1980s, Kings Cross became a derelict, underfunded area. This impacted the local community significantly, the majority of which were impoverished and unemployed. It became a site that was rife with unsafe practices, such as drug abuse and prostitution.
St. Pancras station opened in 1868 and is one of the wonders of Victorian engineering. Along with the former Midland Grand Hotel, it is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture and one of the most elegant stations in the World.