Euston station, London – 30 Things To Do (2024)
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Euston Station may not seem like a destination but as one of central London’s busiest train stations, there are plenty of things to do around Euston Station in London.
Euston Station’s close proximity to one of London’s most historic areas, Bloomsbury combined with the King’s Cross knowledge and cultural hub make it an attractive and interesting area to visit.
Whilst a trip to Euston may not seem the most enticing proposition, it is a fantastic area to explore and gateway to so many London activities and attractions.
We’ve compiled a list of 30 things to do in and around Euston Station, all within a 15 minute walking radius of Euston Station.
From London’s best museums and historical institutes to some incredible street food and Euston pubs, here are the best things to do around Euston Station, London:
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Table of Contents
Things to do near Euston station
1. The Euston Tap
Euston Station used to be famous for its huge doric arch out front, which was sadly demolished in the 1960s (progress eh?).
Now the only remnants of the historic arch are the two lodge buildings out the front of Euston Station, which have now been converted to a craft beer bar and cider palace called The Euston Tap.
Easily the best bar at Euston Station, The Euston Tap has over 20 different beers and drinks on tap, with a beer garden overlooking the station to accommodate the overflow from the small and cosy seating area inside.
Check out the huge beer menu above the bar for one of the biggest lists of beers, bottles and cans in London.
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2. Woburn Walk, Bloomsbury
This gorgeous Georgian street is one of London’s prettiest streets and yet surprisingly, it isn’t that well known.
One of London’s first ever pedestrian shopping streets and precincts built in the 1820s, Woburn Walk oozes charm with its terraced independent shops, old lamp posts and row of trees that are covered with blossom in the spring months.
Many of the buildings in Woburn Walk are listed and famous previous residents include W B Yeats and Dorothy Richardson.
Woburn Walk in Bloomsbury is a short, flat 5 minute walk from Euston Station – if you only have a short amount of time before a train, this is the best free thing to do near Euston Station.
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3. Roti King, Euston
The best way to find Roti King is to look for a large queue of hungry looking people close to Euston Station. Seriously, this is some of the best Malaysian food in London and Roti King is a royally good place to eat cheap.
Based in a small subterranean basement in Doric Way, this unpromising location actually delivers flavour and fine Malaysian food with all dishes £10 or less (so Roti King is incredibly popular with the area’s large student population too).
On our last visit to Roti King in Euston, we devoured a dish of Char Kway Teow (oodles of noodles) plus their signature dish, roti with a fish curry. Roti King is highly recommended, even if you have to queue – delicious.
Roti King also have a sister outlet called Gopal’s Corner located at Market Hall Oxford Circus and Market Halls Canary Wharf – they both feature in our best street food markets and food courts in London guide.
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4. The British Library
A national institution, The British Library is a short walk from Euston Station and easily one of the best free things to do in London. As well as temporary exhibitions (recent subjects have ranged from Alice in Wonderland to Paddington Bear), there are some permanent galleries including the Treasures of the British Library.
From Jane Austen’s bureau to Beatles lyrics handwritten by Lennon and McCartney, this is a treasure trove of the written word with so many historical documents of all shapes, sizes and forms.
Also worth a butchers (look) at the British Library is the King’s Library, a towering glass monument of ancient manuscripts, first editions and original literary works that are kept in a huge temperature controlled room to maintain their condition.
In need of a quick caffeine fix? The British Library has several coffee shops including one on the piazza outside (look out for the huge 12 foot bronze statue of Sir Issac Newton by famous sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi.
5. Regents Park
By Royal Appointment, Regents Park is named after the Prince Regent and is one of the largest parks in London, with a host of activities and walking tracks to enjoy, including lakeside paths and a boating lake.
Across the 400+ acres of public park to explore, there are several additional attractions to enjoy including performances at the Regents Open Air Theatre (popular for opera), four children’s playground plus London Zoo (although the latter is at the far end of Regents Park so quite far away from Euston Station).
Regent Park also has some incredible floral displays, most notably the flower beds along Avenue Gardens and the bounty of rose bushes in Queen Mary Gardens.
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6. The Foundling Museum
Located at Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury’s Foundling Museum portrays the history of the Foundling Hospital, Britain’s first hospital dedicated to helping abandoned children.
The Foundling Museum is free to visit and as well as documenting the ways in which individuals have helped improve children’s lives for over 250 years, has an area dedicated to the life of composer Handel.
7. Catch a movie at the Curzon Cinema, Bloomsbury
Could this be the UK’s most ‘brutal’ cinema? As its very cinematic backdrop is the Brutalist Brunswick Centre, it probably is. The Curzon is a London cinema chain with the Bloomsbury branch one of its nicest sites.
The Curzon Bloomsbury has six screens over three floors, with a bar on each floor. As well as showing an eclectic line-up of blockbuster movies and independent films, it often hosts special events and Q&As, plus has a rather nice outdoor cafe terrace area overlooking Brunswick Square.
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8. The British Museum
Likely one the main reasons that attracts visitors and tourists to the Euston and Bloomsbury, The British Museum is one of the most visited museums in the UK. Founded in the 1750s, the British Museum has one of the largest collections of objects in the world and is amazingly still free to visit.
Covering over two million years of human history, culture and art across over 60 galleries The British Museum’s historical highlights include the Rosetta Stone and their Egyptian artefacts (Hello mummy!).
For us, the British Museum is as equally about the building itself as the collection objects – the central atrium is an architectural feat and just a joy to walk around.
9. Drummond Street Asian restaurants, Euston
The dining options around Euston Station are quite bland and middle of the road (Nandos, Itsu, Leon) to say the least, so the best area to visit in Euston for a range of international cuisine is Drummond Street, offering an awesome array of Asian cuisine and delicacies.
Drummond Street in Euston has around 20 different Asian restaurants as well as several vegetarian asian restaurants, making it the highest concentration of vegetarian restaurants in one street in London (probably).
Drummond Street’s best restaurant options include Masala King (tasty Tandoori), Chutney’s vegetarian Indian restaurant and the Bin Bin Q Barbecue restaurant. Also look out for Gupta’s, a sweet and savoury shop selling sugary treats and savoury items like samosas.
If Asian food isn’t your dining choice, there are a number of more traditional places to eat like Hot Pepper Cafe, serving classic British dishes and popular with all the builders and contractors currently working on the HS2 project at Euston Station.
10. Camley Street Nature Park
Just across from Coal Drops Yard via Somers Town Bridge brings you to Camley Street Natural Park, reopened in 2021 with a spick and span new coffee shop (Kingfisher Cafe) and visitor centre overlooking Regent’s Canal, just across from King’s Cross Station and Coal Drops Yard.
A former coal yard that has been transformed into a waterside nature area complete with a woodland boardwalk, it is a great place to get back to nature and see all of the wildfowl, butterflies and pond life.
On our last visit in winter, we were warmly greeted by a London Wildlife Trust volunteer who told us about the site’s history and that more work is planned at Camley Street Nature Park.
Camley Street Natural Park is open daily from 10am to 4pm with free admission (although donations are gratefully appreciated).
11. Wellcome Collection
Welcome to the …ahem..Wellcome Collection, a free museum and library that has permanent displays and temporary large scale exhibitions whose mission is to connect medicine, science. life and art.
Increasingly relevant in these trying times with the recent pandemic, the Wellcome Collection shines a scientific spotlight on healthcare matters in an interesting and accessible way.
We’d rate the Wellcome Collection as one of the top 70 free things to do in London.
12. Harry Potter platform
We may be in the minority but (blasphemy alert) we aren’t really big fans of Harry Potter and his Hogwharts chums. So whilst we haven’t posed ourselves with trolley at the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express attraction (platform 9¾) at Kings Cross, we have seen the crowds (to be fair, it is a free Harry Potter attraction and if you visit early or late, it can be pretty quiet).
Attached to the Harry Potter gift shop at King’s Cross station where you can buy wands and other magical stuff, you can have your photo taken (using your own phone etc) holding a luggage trolley that has partially disappeared into the wall.
In the film, Harry and et al arrive at the train platform (we’re told) by dashing through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 (not permitted or possible in real life – damn you, National Rail). However, in the real King’s Cross station, they are separated by train tracks, but you can still find a platform 9¾ sign on the wall in the station for photo opps.
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13. Bloomsbury Farmers Market, Torrington Square
Good news and bad news – the good news is that the Bloomsbury Farmers Market is not only one of the best food markets in London, but it is also one of the most scenic and pretty markets in London, given its Bloomsbury surroundings, nestled amongst some of the most historic stalls in London.
The bad news? The Bloomsbury Farmers Market takes place only on Thursdays between 9am and 2pm so this isn’t a weekend activity.
With around 20 food and fruit and veg stalls, this is a really popular foodie feast fest, with some reasonable prices (one of the cheapest food markets in London), mainly because it caters to the students from the surrounding universities and campuses.
For instance, a portion of seafood paella can be yours for £7 so pretty good as London street food prices go.
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14. Francis Crick Institute
Not so much a bona fide attraction, but more of a scientific research building with an incredible exterior, the Francis Crick Institute is located immediately behind the British Library on Midland Road (around a 10 minute walk from Euston Station).
Outside the Francis Crick Institute, you’ll find one of the largest public sculptures in London, ‘Paradigm’, so-called as a reminder of the old adage that old paradigms should be replaced with the new.
There is also a public gallery inside the Francis Crick Institute which hosts small, temporary exhibitions which are open to the public.
Visit the The Eagle in Cambridge where Francis Crick first announced that he and James Watson had discovered the DNA double-helix – read out this pub in our best pubs in Cambridge guide.
15. Russell Square
The largest public square in Bloomsbury, London, Russell Square is a glorious green gem of a space to hang out, sit on a bench and watch the world go by or grab a coffee / tea from the cafe here.
In the summer months, there are often festivals and events held in Russell Square, often with a literature theme, given all the great works and writers associated with Bloomsbury.
On a warm summer afternoon, there is to better place to have an alfresco afternoon tea than Russell Square’s Caffè Tropea, an Italian inspired restaurant and coffee shop (with ample seating inside for those colder days).
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16. Sherlock Holmes flat / Speedy’s Sandwich Bar
Do some detective work and you’ll discover that one of London’s most famous filming locations is within a 5 minute walk of Euston Station.
The recent BBC Sherlock Holmes TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman is filmed close by, as Sherlock Holmes Baker Street apartment exteriors and cafe scenes are actually filmed around Speedy’s Cafe on North Gower Street – just don’t tell Moriaty we told you!
You can also follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes with Sherlock: The Official Live Game in nearby Shepherd’s Bush which features in our top London Immersive events guide.
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17. Visit a Cabman’s Shelter
Got ‘The Knowledge’ about the iconic green huts that you’ll occasionally see dotted around London squares and parks? These bright green kiosks are actually small cafes that predominantly serve licensed Hackney Cab drivers with cheap as chips food and cups of tea.
Whilst you have to have a taxi badge to dine inside, anyone can order outside through the hatch and take advantage of possibly the cheapest cup of tea in London.
There are just over 10 Cabman’s shelters left in London and in the Euston / Bloomsbury area, you’ll find a Cabman’s Shelter by the Thornhaugh Street junction, in front of the SOAS Language Centre
18. Euston Station Piazza Food Market
Operated by the Real Food Festival (who also run the King’s Cross Station food market), this outdoor mini street food market pops up directly on the outside Euston Station Piazza (concourse) every Tuesday to Friday.
With around 5 to 10 rotating (not literally) stalls selling everything from coffee to cannoli, biltong to buns, the Euston Station outdoor food market is open Tuesday to Friday, noon until 7pm – hours correct as of January 2024.
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19. Brunswick Square Gardens
One of Bloomsbury’s most popular public parks and green spaces and located just across from the Foundling Museum, the Brunswick Square Gardens are an oasis of calm built in the early 1800s, where many local workers and residents escape the usual hustle and bustle of the Euston and Bloomsbury area.
When we visited Brunswick Square last, we saw picnickers, dog-walkers, Tai Chi enthusiasts as well as joggers so it is a nice place to people-watch or relax.
As with Fulham Palace and Gardens, Brunswick Square Gardens also is home to one of the ‘Ten Great Trees of London’, a 200 year old Brunswick Plane.
20. Buy a book from TV’s ‘Black Books’ (Leigh Street)
Well, kind of…fans of Channel’s 4 Black Books sitcom starring Dylan Moran, Tasmin Greig and Bill Bailey will be pleased to know that you can visit the actual book shop that was used as the main exterior filming location.
Based at 13 Leigh Street in Bloomsbury, the Black Books real life location is Collinge & Clark, a specialist seller of rare and secondhand books, with a bargain basement too.
21. The Hardy Tree at St Pancras Old Church
One of England’s oldest places of Christian worship and an incredibly unique setting is the Hardy Tree at St Pancras Old Church, just a 10 min walk from Euston Station.
The site originates from around 314 AD but the current church was rebuilt in 1814. It also lays claim to one of London’s most striking but no-so-well known historical features, The Hardy Tree – an ash tree circled by tens of old gravestones in close proximity.
Eerily beautiful and always serene, this is one of the most unusual attractions in the whole of London.
2024 update – The Hardy Tree has now sadly fallen. In December 2022, winter storms saw the famous Hardy Tree fall onto the tombstones at St Pancras Old Church.
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22. Gordon Square Gardens
Gordon Square Gardens is all about the setting – we recently discovered this urban oasis whilst taking a stroll around the Bloomsbury area.
A majestic London park with long, lush lawns and views of the magnificent Georgian homes surrounding the park (an affluent AF area!), the highlight of Gordon Square Gardens is a charming little coffee kiosk (almost like a garden shed) that has a popular outdoor terrace overlooking the park.
Even on a cold January morning when we visited Gordon Square Gardens last, all the tables were taken (a sea of bobble hots).
As well as numerous benches and a prime picnic site, Gordon Square Garden has a huge sculpture of the Indian poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) by artist Shenda Amery.
23. The Brunswick Centre, Bloomsbury, London
We love a Brutalist building and The Brunswick Centre is a brutal beauty in Bloomsbury that stands out compared to all the other buildings in the area (but in a good way). Just down the road from the iconic British Library Building and near to Kings Cross, The Brunswick Centre is primarily a residential estate with several restaurants and shops located within it.
Completed in 1972, this tiered concrete complex consists of over 550 apartments, a Curzon cinema and a Waitrose (perfect for all your Euston picnic needs).
Euston Station Pubs
There are several pubs within a 2 minute walk of Euston Station itself including:
24. The Rocket, Euston Road
A classic British boozer and one of the closest pubs to Euston Station (less than a 5 minute walk), whilst The Rocket Euston is a little rough and ready around the edges, it is the perfect place to grab a pint whilst waiting for a train, or to watch live sports.
The food at The Rocket Euston is standard pub grub fare but very good value for money compared to most restaurants in Euston (and good if you want a sit down meal as opposed to most of the grab and go bites).
25. Euston Royal George Pub
Just across from the main Euston Station entrance, the Royal George pub is a traditional London boozer that is a nice way to have a beer or two whilst waiting for a train (some would even say it is a Royally good pub – sorry not sorry).
Open for drinks and food from 10am to 11pm daily, the Royal George Euston has a small beer garden and is a nice spot to watch live sports on the TV or fish and chips or other hearty fare.
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26. The Doric Arch
Easy to spot due to its bright blue exterior, The Doric Arch is located just off the Euston Station Piazza, up a flight of stairs – so if you only have 30 minutes before your train, this is your best bet for a bitter or beer before you depart.
The Doric Arch is a traditional Euston pub that has a vintage theme with lots of retro railway signs and merchandise, it serves food like toasties and snacks and is open 10am to 10pm most days (until 9pm Sunday and Monday).
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27. The Captain Flinders Euston Wetherspoons pub
Euston’s newest pub located in an old strip bar (let’s hope the floors still aren’t sticky), the new Euston Wetherspoons pub The Captain Flinders opened in January 2024.
One of the closest pubs to Euston Station, The Wetherspoons Captain Flinders is one of the cheapest pubs in the area with pints of ale starting from the £2 to £3 mark.
This is also one of the only pubs by Euston Station where you can order using an app on your phone without having to go to the bar.
This might also be a good opportunity to try a traditional English breakfast (fry-up) or other traditional English dishes.
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28. The Euston Green Link
Go green! The Euston Green Link is an environmental and creative walking route linking Euston Station through to Regent’s Park via Drummond Street.
Whilst we wouldn’t recommend going solely for this as it is essentially a couple of murals and a corridor of interpretation panels, it is an interesting way to get to Drummond Street from Euston Station. The highlight of which is a mural and greening project on the side of Chutney’s restaurant.
The Euston Green Link will expand overtime, apparently allowing a natural route all the way to Regent’s Park (or so the developers say).
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29. The Magic Circle
A ‘magical’ UK organisation that has been around for over 100 years with over 1,500 members including famous illusionists David Copperfield, Dynamo and Paul Daniels, The Magic Circle is dedicated to promoting the traditional art and skill of magic.
Visitors to the Magic Circle can discover all kind of magical merchandise and historic artefacts such as Houdini’s straitjacket or Dynamo’s Thames Walk rope. However, note that the Magic Circle is only open on select days or for special events so check their website before visiting.
The Magic Circle is approximate a four minute walk from Euston Square, located at 12 Stephenson Way.
30. The Real Food Market King’s Cross
OK OK – we know this is Kings Cross Station not Euston but this is actually the closest street food market to Euston Station, if you want to stock up for the train but don’t fancy the chains at Euston.
Located directly in front of King’s Cross Station on King’s Cross Square, this street food market operates from Wednesday to Friday (1pm-7pm), selling a variety of foodstuffs from Polish pierogis to British cheese (plus damn fine doughnuts courtesy of Crosstown Doughnuts).
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