What is there to do near Euston station?

Date post added: 18th March 2025

Poor old Euston is rarely seen as a destination in its own right. People usually whizz through en route to somewhere else. It’s quite the transport hub with busy roads, super busy railways and underground lines. It’s one of the busiest train stations in London.

But before you leave London Euston for dust and hop on a train to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh (and a whole host of destinations in between), why not give the Euston area a peruse too?

Centrally located, with Bloomsbury and Camden on each end, there are many fine attractions just a few minutes walk from Euston station. There’s something for everyone, be you a first-time visitor to the area, a regular commuter or a local. We’ll share a few top tips and ideas below, hoping to stop you in your tracks and encourage you to soak in the sights of Euston.

What is Euston famous for?

When you mention Euston, people usually think of train stations and underground stations. From London Euston station, it’s a short walk along Euston Road to get to Kings Cross and St Pancras train stations and underground stations.

Euston station first opened in 1837 as the London terminus of the London to Birmingham Railway. It was the first intercity station built in London. The Victorian station building had a great hall and a grand arch. Known as the Euston Arch, the construction was 22 metres tall. It was designed by architect Philip Hardwick and built by William Cubitt. But that grand entrance to the station was demolished and replaced in the 1960s to the horror of many. People still haven’t got over that architectural travesty.

But there’s more to the Euston area than that. There are various cultural connections, renowned landmarks and heritage sites nearby. There’s an eclectic array of eateries and drinking venues. Plus, there are the well-known and lesser-known green spaces to enjoy.

What attractions are within walking distance of Euston station?

You could have time to kill before your train, or be curious about what Euston has to offer. Instead of jumping on the tube to more acclaimed areas in Central London like Covent Garden or The City, stick around Euston and explore the local offerings. Here are 10 of our best suggestions of places within walking distance of Euston station.

1. British Library

A 15 minute walk from Euston station, the British Library is a vast and exceptional place to visit. It’s a celebration and treasure trove of the written word with over 150 million items housed here.

It’s free to visit and open seven days a week (usually). Within its architecturally magnificent walls, you’ll find 250 of the English-speaking world’s most precious and high-profile written documents. There’s everything from the original Magna Carta and Shakespeare’s First Folio to handwritten manuscripts by Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Bronte, Lewis Carroll and Jane Austen.

Beyond literature, you’ll find quite incredible works like John Lennon’s self-edited lyrics, several of The Beatles most popular songs and original scores from Beethoven and Mozart. Add to that, historical maps and ancient religious texts, and archived sound recordings that include the voices of Thomas Edison, Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale. It’s a wonderful, enlightening place.

2. Wellcome Collection

A mere seven minute walk from London Euston, the Wellcome Collection is an incredible exploration of health and the human experience. Founded by Henry Wellcome, it houses a great collection of medical artefacts from the history of medicine. Some of the weird and wonderful items on display include Napoleon’s toothbrush, a lock of George III’s hair, shoes for the bound feet of Chinese women and a chastity belt.

It’s a must-visit place for those with a (morbid or not) fascination for all things health and medical. The permanent exhibition, Being Human explores what it means to be human in the 21st century. But there’s a constant stream of thought-provoking temporary exhibitions too.

3. British Museum

Where to start with this outstanding and incredibly important museum? Dating back to 1753, the British Museum in Bloomsbury has a collection covering two million years of history. That collection spans some of the most important historical artefacts in the world. There’s everything from The Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian antiquities and mummies, the Parthenon Sculptures, the Sutton Hoo treasures, Roman artefacts, Celtic gold…it’s a jaw-dropping curation of our history.

The original and the best, The British Museum was the world’s first public museum of its kind. It attracts more than six million visitors each year. Visit it with us to get incredible insights. Our guided tours of The British Museum take place on Wednesday afternoons.

4. Foundling Museum

Also in Bloomsbury, this lesser-known museum celebrates the art and artists who have bettered children’s lives. The museum stands on the original site of the Foundling Hospital, London’s first home for orphaned and abandoned children. It tells the moving story of the remarkable hospital and the first children’s charity established there.

Gain insights into the children who grew up there through artworks and archival documents. The original Foundling Hospital building and its beautiful 18th-century interiors are worth taking time to stop and admire too.

5. University College London

Euston’s an academic spot, with several University College London (UCL) faculties here. You can pause to admire the historic buildings. But if you have a curiosity for the slightly weird, step inside the UCL compound and head for the public atrium of the Student Centre. Inside you’ll find the auto-icon of Jeremy Bentham – eccentric English philosopher and UCL’s spiritual founder.

What’s weird about it? The fragile statue contains the philosopher’s actual skeleton beneath a waxwork head. Bentham sits in a wooden box dressed in 18th century clothing and holding his favourite walking stick known as ‘Dapple’. Staff and students can visit around the clock, but visitors are welcome to take a look from 7am – 7pm each day.

6. Grant Museum of Zoology

Opened in 1828 as a teaching resource for UCL students, the Grant Museum of Zoology houses around 68,000 zoological specimens. It’s an unbelievable Victorian exhibition of animal oddities. Get up close to dissected brains, the bones of a dodo and a jar full of moles. If you’ve ever stopped to ponder what a quagga skeleton looks like, your questions will be answered here.

The Grant Museum of Zoology is free to enter, and is open Tuesday to Friday afternoons and Saturdays from 11am.

7. Camden Town

Euston station is actually located in Camden which also has a rich industrial history centred around transportation – not just rail, but barge and horse too. If you have the time, it’s worth the 20 minute walk to Camden to explore the diverse and exciting area.

There’s the famous Camden Market where you can find everything from vintage clothes to handmade crafts and global street food. The area’s got strong musical links from Mods and Goths to Britpop and beyond. Join our weekend Rock n Roll Camden walk to find out more.

8. Regent’s Park

Get away from the busy Euston Road and endless streams of traffic. Escape to a tranquil green space in the city. There’s the glorious Regent’s Park, home to London Zoo, incredible floral displays and the enticing boating lake. As one of the largest parks in London, there’s always something going on there.

For a lesser known green space, try St James Gardens. What appears a tranquil green oasis, is in fact a former burial ground. Look out for the gravestones around the edges.

9. King’s Cross station

Once only known as the place to get a national train, King’s Cross station is now a destination for people looking for platform 9 3/4 and a train to Hogwarts. Fans of the Harry Potter books and films can pose next to the trolley going through a wall outside the Harry Potter shop. Then you can fill your luggage, and empty your wallet, buying merch inside.

Follow in Harry’s footsteps on our Harry Potter film locations walk in the city.

10. St Pancras station

This Victorian railway station is famous for its incredible architecture. Remember to look up and marvel at the towering glass ceiling overhead and the detailed red brick facade.

St Pancras International is a gateway to Europe via the Eurostar. But it’s a pretty good shopping and eating destination too. Start your trip in style at the magnificent Searcy’s Champagne Bar, a 1920s Art Deco restaurant and bar.

Where to eat near Euston station

Aside from the multitude of fast food restaurants and high street chain coffee shops, there are some local places to eat and drink.

The Euston Tap is a cool place to grab yourself a craft beer. It’s an intimate bar, only a few square metres in size, housed in a former lodge of Euston Square. Then there’s the Doric Arch which is traditional British boozer dating back to the 1800s.

Drummond Street offers one a delicious concentration of South Asian cuisine. You’ll find wonderful, authentic Indian curry houses like Chutneys and Massala Hut. Many of these independent businesses were established by first generation Indian and Bangladeshi immigrants. There’s an impressive amount of vegetarian and vegan options here too.

Stop for tea and cake or a spot of lunch at one of the local museum cafes. The Wellcome Collection has an inviting, light and airy cafe. Then, on the ground floor of The British Museum there’s the Courtyard Cafe which is a lovely spot for a bite to eat. For something grander, head to their Great Court Restaurant for a refined dining experience beneath the show-stopping glass roof.

Beyond that, you could keep walking into the West End and even down to the Thames. You’ll find endless options along the way to refuel and relax.

Explore the Euston area with us

Are you passionate about literature, music or transport? We have something for all of those.

This summer, we’re running a special walk for rail enthusiasts looking at Euston in high speed hiatus. We’ll discuss the impact of HS2 on the local area.

Another special walk in the area focuses on Mary Shelley – she of Frankenstein fame – and the local Somers Town neighbourhood that she frequented.

Or, you could join music aficionado, Adam, each weekend on his Rock n Roll Camden walk