Coal Drops Yard and the London Canal Museum

58 Comments
Looking across the canal to Coal Drops Yard

Back in April I abandoned my account of our London stay in May 2023 and took what I thought would be a quick detour through Northern Ireland. It turned out to be a much longer detour than that! I had just written about my walk through Regent’s Park and Marylebone and observed:

I headed back to my hotel, but there was still quite a bit of afternoon left. I knew if I went in I would just slob about till John got back, so I kept walking and ended up in Coal Drops Yard, but that’s a tale for another day.

Four months later, that day has come! The Coal Drops, behind Kings Cross Station, were the coal store for Victorian London. They were built in the 1850s to transfer coal that arrived from the north of England by rail and originally carried four high-level railway tracks, from which wagons dropped coal into storage hoppers. From here the coal was loaded onto horse-drawn carts to be distributed throughout the city.

The buildings have had many other lives since – in my youth, this was not an area I wanted to wander into after getting off the train. However, the whole King’s Cross area has been redeveloped, and since 2018 Coal Drops Yard has been a shopping complex and home to a number of cafes and restaurants. I was impressed at the blend of old and new architecture and returned later in the week with John (who was working the first day).

What follows is a blend of both visits, running roughly west to east. With John, I entered via the Camley Street Natural Park on the other side of the canal to the Yards. We had a walk through its various habitats and a welcome coffee.

Coffee time
View across the canal
Wetland habitat

From here we crossed the canal with locks on one side of the bridge and the park and café on the other.

Locks near Camley Street
Looking down on Camley Street Natural Park
Looking down on Camley Street Natural Park

You might have noticed the gas-holders behind John’s head in the picture of him having coffee, and can see them close-up below. I thought they were an amazing way of converting old industrial architecture to homes and businesses, and liked the way one has been left open as a small park.

Homes in a gasholder
Homes in a gasholder
Homes in a gasholder
Homes in a gasholder
Gasholder Park
Gasholder Park
Gasholder Park

A few images below show the award-winning Coal Drops Yard itself, taken on the day I visited on my own – after this, I did retire foot-sore to the hotel.

Award plaque
Original buildings
Modern rooflines
Modern rooflines
Modern additions

The day I was with John we crossed the canal again to head for New Wharf Road and the London Canal Museum.

Crossing canal bridge from Coal Drops Yard
London Canal Museum

As well as viewing the interior exhibitions, you can also go out the back of the museum to Battlebridge Basin to see the boats there. Boat trips are also available, but we didn’t have time for that.

Coronis
Coronis
Canalside entrance
Boats on Battlebridge Basin
Boats on Battlebridge Basin
Boats on Battlebridge Basin

No, first we had lunch, which we did at Ekachai (delicious South East Asian food) then we had a party to go to – John’s sister and her husband celebrated their Silver Wedding with perhaps the greenest cake I have ever seen! A wonderful time was had by all, family and friends.

Decor
Food
Greenest cake ever!

Next up from our London trips: Hampton Court.

England, UK , ,

58 Comments »

  1. Hi Annabel
    Thanks for making us aware of the London Canal Museum we didn’t know about. We usually go to London for exhibitions at the Tate Modern.
    Here are some pictures we took from the Millennium Bridge

    London’s Wobbly Wonder


    Wishing you a happy weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Like

  2. Hi Anabel – they both sound very good days … this was an area where I spent four months over the rails and across St Pancras churchyard when my mother was first recovering before she came down here. It was being developed then … nearly 20 years ago … Such interesting developments to remember our past … thanks for this …that cake stands out on its red plate. Were they trying to get everyone to go ‘green’ … cheers Hilary

    Like

  6. So much development has taken place since I was last in the area, Anabel, but I do remember the book shop on the water. You would know they weren’t cheap but they have a fine distinctive look to them, don’t they? I’d like to see inside the apartments.

    Like

  8. It’s incredible how much the area around Kings Cross has changed over the last 10 to 15 years. I love the way they’ve incorporated the old industrial architecture, such as the gas-holders, into the site, it’s a really imaginative use of the space.

    Like

  9. When we come to London, we always stay near Kings Cross Station, just around the corner off Euston Road and as I started reading this I was thinking I’d never heard about this place. But then I realised why – the last time we were there was 2016. Definitely one to add to the list for the next time, whenever that may be. It looks like a great place to visit.

    Like

  10. What a great redevelopment of a formerly industrial area! It looks very inviting. I see a couple people mentioned Redemption Roasters, so I’ll keep that in mind for our London visit.

    Like

  11. Well, what a lovely discovery and who knew that was there, not me. I think even for locals they would find it hard to explore every corner in London. Now that exploration was incomparable to staying put in a hotel room.

    Like

  12. Wow I am in love with the gas holder homes!
    Bizarrely when I was a small child I had 2 ‘ imaginary ‘ friends who lived in a gas tower. 😊

    Like

  14. King’s Cross used to be the station we arrived at when visiting London and passing the gas holders was when we put our coats on! Remarkable change to the area in recent years and fascinating reading and great photos to bring it all up to date. Thank you.

    Like

  16. Even though UK canals are no longer used for industry they still retain a huge legacy as there’s hardly a village, town or city in Britain that does not benefit from a canal network running through it. Brings water and life even into landlocked urban regions. Been watching Canal Boat Diaries on TV as he lives on the canals and visits cities and towns UK wide. Be a very different country without them, walking, boating, and pleasure wise. Like the art mural and meal. Bob. BSS.

    Like

  17. I often enjoy a wander round Coal Drops Yard and area if I’m early for my train to spirit me back up north. You’ve visited quite a few favourites. The Canal Museum has often been closed when I’ve passed. Should I try harder?

    Like

  19. Ah, you found one of my favourite ‘secret’ places in London, that cafe in Camley Street Park! I love all that area (I’d be very intrigued to visit an apartment in the gas holders) and often meet friends there for a meal but we’ve not tried Ekachai – thanks for the tip 🙂

    Like

  21. Fascinating. I’m always amazed how you find these places right on my doorstep that I never visit. I guess I’m too busy exploring the rest of the country. 🙂

    Like

  22. I have had a few good wanders around Coal Drops Yard. My go to coffee place is Redemption Roasters. On the canal, I loved Word on the Water… bookshop on a canal boat. And those flats in the gas holders at eye watering prices!

    Like

  24. Anything connected to boats and canals and you have my undivided attention Anabel 😊 This looks and sounds like a great regeneration of a previously industrial area, the boats are very colourful and I like the view from the canal bridge and the green cake – my son’s birthday cake last month was a very bright turquoise blue! 😀

    Like