Let’s get our children out and about with this fun walk put together by our Guide Rachel.
Start Point is Kings Cross Station.
A great station to look at. A masterful piece of brickwork and a special station for all Harry Potter fans. A free photo can be taken at a mock up Platform 9¾ . It is quite amazing how many adults will also be queuing!.
Inside you will see a large 4 faced clock. This is a legendary meeting place for sweethearts and others. In a time when we didn’t have mobile phones the clock was a hugely important part of our lives. Not everyone could afford watches so having large clocks for everyone to see was really important. Can you tell what time it is? (Make a note as you will need it later).
Walk outside the station and swing in the birdcage, oh yes the birdcage! A great photo opportunity.
Cross at the crossing and look up at the fabulous gothic style St Pancras Station, the design of George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s. This is where you can get the train to Paris (Eurostar). The train travels through a long tunnel under the English Channel that took 6 years to complete and cost £4.5 billion (1988 – 1994).
Inside is a fabulous clock that has a secret.
Can you tell what the time it is? (write it down as you will need it later).
The secret is that behind the clock is an apartment. There are several apartments in the tower, but I think the one at the top would be my favourite. What about you?
If you go inside the station, at the entrance on the driveway up by the hotel, you can look down onto the platforms. You will notice some curved coloured seats. These were the six Olympic circles of the display that hung in the station welcoming visitors to the 2012 London Olympics.
When you leave the station, with your back to the station, cross Euston Road (M), and turn right. Let’s not spend too much time on this main road as sadly this is one of London’s most polluted roads! It is a main road that takes you out of town quickly and has no congestion charge. Most cars have to pay £12 a day to drive in some parts of London. The congestion charge is to try to reduce pollution and the amount of traffic. It is free for people to use Euston Road, hence its popularity.
Now turn left onto Judd Street, turn right onto Leigh Street and then left onto Marchmont Street.
Turn right onto Tavistock Place and cross Woburn Place.
On your right is Tavistock Square. Inside the square is the only statue in London of someone seated on the floor. Can you guess who this is?
Its Gandhi. Sculpted by Fredda Brilliant (what an amazing name!).
Gandhi was a very influential Indian Leader who helped bring about India’s Independence from England. The statue was placed here as he attended the University College London, very close by. There is another statue of him in Parliament Square.
Leave Tavistock square (facing the Tavistock Hotel) and turn right, then left onto Bedford Way. Turn right at Russell Square.
Why not stop for a cup of tea at the Russell Square Cabbie Hut (The Green Hut). These green huts were introduced for London Taxi Drivers to have somewhere to have a break, but more so that those who wanted to get a taxi had a local location, close to their houses.
Ask if you can have a look inside. Can you tell what time it is? There is a clock inside! Write it down. You can buy a great cup of tea or coffee and a tasty sandwich at the window. All at very reasonable prices.
When you leave the hut, walk with the hut behind you and square on your left, and turn right into Montague Place.
On your left is the rear entrance to the British Museum.
There are so many amazing things to see in the British Museum, but for the purpose of this tour go to the clock and watch section. Every hour all the clocks chime. It is an amazing aural pleasure and always entertains the children.
Can you find the clock made by Thomas Earnshaw?
This has a real connection to one of our Guides. Thomas Earnshaw is his ancestor. He even has a street in London named after him. Can you tell what time it is? Write it down.
Our Walking Tour concludes here, but leaves you to spend time and explore the fantastic British Museum. Can you calculate how many minutes it has taken to get from each clock to the next? and the time taken from the start to the finish of your journey?
Well done, have a great day!
