Club Pétanque

The long, lazy afternoons of the French Riviera are heading to King's Cross this summer: alongside our sunny courtyards and waterside brasseries, there will be four free courts where you can play pétanque - or boules, as it's also known - for free. No need to book - just roll up with your friends, follow signs to the Visitor Centre where you can collect your pétanque kit and instructions, and then head to Lewis Cubitt Square for some fun in the sun.

Shop at Coal Drops Yard

The restored canal side railway arches at Coal Drops Yard are home to London's most eclectic mix of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, at the heart of King's Cross, just a short walk from the station. With more than 50 bars, restaurants and shops, from independent boutiques to established brands, it makes for the perfect day out. Find out more here.

Inspiring art in the open air

Be inspired by art as you wander around King's Cross with the Outdoor Art Project, which presents free exhibitions on the art benches in Battlebridge Place and Pancras and Granary Squares.

The current exhibition, Queer Joy, showcases the work of ten emerging LGBTQIA+ photographers and shines a light on the unfiltered self-expression which is vital to the Queer community.

Twilight Gardening and Making at the Floating Garden

Enjoy the wonders of wildlife on the water and get hands on with gardening, making and maintenance tasks on board Global Generation's wide beam garden barge and learning space. Volunteer sessions run fortnightly on Thursdays from 5-7pm, with tools, equipment and refreshment provided. Sign up by emailing laura.price@globalgeneration.org.uk.

The next sessions will be on:

29 June
13 July
27 July

Step out of the city and into the wild

Camley Street Natural Park is two acres of wild green space, right in the heart of King’s Cross -  a place to disconnect from city life and immerse yourself in nature.

Follow the paths through this very special nature reserve and find your way to Viewpoint – the floating hideaway in miniature where you can experience the canal and its wildlife from a different angle. Camley Street also has opportunities for volunteering, so get in touch with them if you'd like to spend even more time in this special corner of London.

Street food and eclectic wares at Canopy Market

Browse the stalls every weekend at Canopy Market for the the best artisan produce plus fashion, art and homewares from independent designer-makers. Delicious street food and drinks to boot.

Under the West Handyside Canopy,
Fri 12-8pm, Sat and Sun 11am-6pm.

Vegan Market

Canopy Market goes all vegan once a month. Come down for the best in vegan candles, skincare and goods, alongside a host of delicious vegan foods that you can enjoy with a clear conscience

You'll find the Vegan Market inside Canopy Market at West Handyside Canopy, the covered outdoor area just off Granary Square. Trading hours are Friday, 12-8pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11-6pm.

Upcoming dates are:

14 – 16 July

15 – 17 Sept

Salsa the night away

With the lighter evenings comes the return of Rueda Libre Ldn's joyous salsa classes in King's Cross every Wednesday at 7:30pm. Check their Instagram for the exact outdoor dancing spot.⁠
⁠£8 class followed by a free social session so you can practice what you've learned. All skill levels are welcome!

See David Hockney’s work as never before

Looking for some inspiration this summer? Make your way to Lightroom in Lewis Cubitt Square to see 'David Hockney - Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away)?

Lightroom's surround sound and enormous projections of Hockney's masterpieces, both familiar and new, allow you to walk through Hockney's work, letting you see the world through the artist's eyes.

Shop from London’s most exciting creatives at Lower Stable Street Market

The coolest little shopping street in London is hosting its very own outdoor market with a stellar line-up of stallholders handpicked by independent magazine-turned store, Kiosk N1C. Showcasing the work of some of the city’s most exciting creatives, the market runs every Friday 12 – 7pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am – 6pm.

Water jets and people watching at Lewis Cubitt Square

Nestled at the top of Coal Drops Yard, far from the hum of traffic, Lewis Cubitt Square is the perfect place to while away an afternoon watching the world go by.

Designed by Laurie Olin, who also designed Bryant Park in New York, the square features Laurie’s hallmark arching water jets. Have some lunch and enjoy the goings-on from the seating nestled among the trees and flowerbeds.

Guided Walks from the Floating Garden

Enjoy the peace of the Regent's Canal and learn something new about the biodiversity of King's Cross by joining in one of three guided walks: Noticing Nature, Pavement Prowl and Weed Walk, and Family Explorer walk. Book your space here.

During Noticing Nature, you'll have a gentle ramble along the canal and around King’s Cross, taking in the sights, sounds and textures of the natural world, sharpening your senses and finding ways to deepen your experience as you pause and notice. 29 June, 1-1.30pm

The Pavement Prowl will be a meditative wander through the fringes and cracks of urban development, identifying what's growing along the way. 13 July, 1.30-3pm.

With bug hunts, bark rubbing, some simple craft/art activities and storytelling, the Family Explorer walks will provide an opportunity for all ages to explore the wonders of wildlife along the canal.
10 August, 11-12.30pm

All walks will start at the Floating Garden, and there will be an invitation to head back there after each walk for herbal teas.

Enjoy an evening of open-air chess

Four Corner Club are back in Granary Square terrace with their free outdoor chess meet-ups for anyone and everyone on a Wednesday evening. Their community was set up as an alternative to the stuffy and intimidating chess meet-ups for advanced players only. Expect great tunes, atmosphere, and players of all abilities. Every Wednesday from 6.30 - 9pm. Check their Instagram for any last minute changes.

Let King’s Cross be your own, spacious, open air gym

Why spend a moment of summer inside a gym when you can make King's Cross your gym instead with our free fitness trail? Martin Whitelock, who runs the phenomenal MW5 Bootcamp, has created a workout with 8 exercises to try in different, outdoor locations. It's a fun and easy way for you to get those reps in.

Relax while the little ones play in Handyside Gardens

This beautifully landscaped pocket park is just moments from Granary Square and the canal. The luscious plants and water rill set the perfect scene for a lazy afternoon and the fabulous children's playground complete with sand pit mean the little ones can play will you soak up the sun.

The design of the park is influenced by the railway sidings that once ran through this part of King's Cross, and the planting is inspired by the growth found on railway embankments.

Spot wildlife as you wander

Despite its industrial heritage and urban location, the Regent's Canal is a haven for wildlife and a wonderful place for bird spotting. Look out for herons, coots, geese and moorhens as you wander. In the late spring and summer, you'll often see flocks of ducklings learning to swim - a feel-good sight if ever there was one!

Visit the most romantic bookshop in London

It's always good to step back from the social media circus and slow down with a good book, and finding a beautiful paperback in a good bookshop makes the experience even better. Word on the Water, King's Cross' own floating bookshop not only has a fantastic selection of books, from vintage classics to the best of contemporary literature. It's hard to imagine a more appealing place to browse.