Argyle Square

Argyle Square is a garden square in the London Borough of Camden and the main public park in King's Cross. It sits a short walk from one of London's busiest rail hubs, which makes it a handy, quiet stop between a train and a day of sightseeing.

Where is Argyle Square and how do you get there?

The square lies in the heart of King's Cross, in Camden, at roughly 51.529 N, 0.122 W. You can walk here from King's Cross and St Pancras stations, and the area is well served by the Underground and national rail. It suits travellers with a few spare hours before a departure, or anyone who wants to stretch their legs after a journey.

How did Argyle Square come about?

The square was built in the 1830s and 1840s, after an attempt to create a music and arts centre in the area collapsed. Before that, the land was a waste dump, part of the so-called "Great Dust Heap" that stretched towards where King's Cross station now stands. A garden is shown on an estate plan of 1832, though it was probably laid out in the 1840s, as the first houses went up around the square. The failed Panharmonicon scheme left its mark on the design. What was built instead was a square around enclosed gardens, originally with four entrances.

How has the garden changed?

At first only residents of Argyle Square and a few neighbouring houses could use the garden. Today it is open to everyone. The layout was altered in the late 19th century, and the current design dates from 1995, although some changes have followed since.

What is there to see around the square?

The houses around the square are Grade II listed. Numbers 36 to 47 were built between 1840 and 1849, and their railings were listed Grade II in 1974. Many of the buildings now work as hotels, mostly used by travellers passing through the nearby stations.

The square also has a religious history. It was the headquarters of the Swedenborgian movement in England, centred on the New Jerusalem Church. The church was bombed in the Second World War and later demolished as unsafe.

What can you do in the park?

The gardens have a playground and a sports pitch, so you will see families with children as well as people simply looking for a green break. Opening hours are 7.30am to dusk.

Frequently asked questions

Is Argyle Square free to enter? Yes. It is a public garden, although originally only local residents had access.

What are the opening hours? From 7.30am until dusk.

Is it good for children? Yes, there is a playground and a sports pitch.

Is it close to King's Cross station? Yes, it is the main public park in King's Cross and a short walk from the station.

Why are there so many hotels around it? The area serves travellers using the nearby stations, and many of the historic houses on the square now operate as hotels.

In short

Argyle Square is a small but historically interesting patch of green in a densely built part of London. If you are waiting for a train at King's Cross or staying in one of the nearby hotels, it is worth spending half an hour strolling past the early Victorian terraces that stand where waste heaps once lay.