More than just trains: curiosities about London's iconic stations

Located in the heart of the city, it is one of the most beautiful streets in London. And if you've read Harry Potter, you already know this resort. King's Cross is the starting point of the Hogwarts Express from platform 9. One of the walls has the famous trolley passing through the wall, perfect for a photo on the way to Hogwarts.
 

St. Pancras station is right next to the hotel. Although they are different stations, they work as if they were one single station. And here’s the fun: the exterior that appears in the movies is not that of King's Cross, but that of St. Pancras, with its spectacular neo-Gothic façade. The resort also has a few surprises. A public piano that anyone can play, a nine-metre sculpture of an embracing couple, and even a library of lost books, which many people overlook. One of the hotels near King's Cross is the Meliá White House, only a 15-minute walk away.

Known as London Victoria, it is one of the busiest stations in the city. From here you can reach Gatwick Airport, take the metro or explore the West End on foot. And just a 20-minute walk away, one of the hotels is the nearest to Victoria Station: Meliá London Kensington Meliá Collection.

But Victoria is not just a resort with a lot of hustle and bustle. This is one of those places with a story around every corner. Travelers used to arrive from the south coast and during the Second World War it was a key point for children evacuations of the island.

The current building retains part of its original 19th-century façade, but the most curious thing is what lies underground. The station tunnels are still home to the remains of an old underground cinema, closed for decades. A couple of steps away from the station is the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where Wicked for many years. And if you keep walking, in a few minutes you will be at Buckingham Palace. So staying near Victoria Station places you right between stories about queens, musicals and a few underground legends.

Euston Station is a 20-minute walk from the Meliá White House . She may seem modern, but she's a really old-timer: it was the first intercity station in London. The original station opened in 1837 and took its name from an elegant country house, Euston Hall, owned by a Duke. The curious thing about the station is that originally the trains needed a steam winch to go uphill towards Camden Town. And this system also helped create the famous Roundhouse, which is now a concert hall.

Although much of the original building was demolished in the 1960s (including the famous Euston Arch), there are still remains from the past, such as the war monument or the statue of Robert Stephenson. The Esplanade also has a work by the sculptor Paolozzi. From here, you can take a walk over to Camden Town and enjoy its mix of alternative culture, creative atmosphere and quirky shops. You can also take a trip to the Wellcome Collection, a museum full of rarities, or visit the gardens in Regent's Park.

This famous station is not only the busiest station in the UK, it is also a place full of anecdotes. The most curious? For many years it had an exclusive terminal for Eurostar trains for Paris. Maybe it was an irony of destiny or just a joke, but it did not go unnoticed by the French, who remembered the defeat of Napoleon every time they visited Waterloo. 

Scenes from movies such as The Bourne Ultimatu or Bridget Jones's Diary were also shot here. And although it is huge and modern, it still has nods to the past: an old clock tower, vestiges of the original design and an occasional corner that seems to have stood still in time. Also, right next to the South Bank, a lively area with views of the Thames, markets, theaters and the London Eye. And if you stay at the ME London, you can be at the station in just a 16-minute walk.

About 20 minutes by tube from ME London, you can get to Liverpool Street Station, connecting London with the east of the country and with several airports, such as Stansted. It is one of the most important terminals for travelers to Cambridge, Norwich or even to small coastal towns in the country.

Inaugurated in 1874, it was a key factor in the development of trade and tourism in that part of the country. But its most important role came just before the Second World War, when it became the arrival point for thousands of Jewish refugee children on the Kindertransport. Today, a sculpture on the Esplanade quietly remembers that moment. During the Blitz, the station was extensively damaged, but it never stopped operating. Years later, it was restored respecting its original design, and little by little it began to recover its place in the city, and also in pop culture: Madonna recorded part of the video for Hung Up, mixing high-heels and choreography with the coming and going of passengers. 

It’s not the most famous in London, but it is one of the most iconic. Since opening in 1864, it has survived landslides, wars and renovations that have transformed it without completely erasing its Victorian soul. Today it is a modern station with shops, cafes and trains that connect with the south-east of England, passing through London Bridge and Waterloo East. In front of the main entrance is a replica of the Eleanor Cross, a tribute paid by King Edward I to his bride Eleanor of Castilla, in a place also considered ground floor of the city. The city is the official location for all distances to London.

A walk from a hotel near Charing Cross is the perfect way to explore the area, enjoying iconic attractions such as the River Thames, Trafalgar Square and the lively West End.

Paddington station

It’s impossible not to think of Paddington Bear, with his suitcase and blue coat. His story began here, which is why there’s a statue in his honor. From Meliá White House, you can reach it with a 25-minute walk or in just 10 minutes by a classic London taxi.

London Bridge station

One of the oldest ski resorts in the city. Roman remains were found under its platforms, and inside there is even a secret sculpture. From here, The Shard and Borough Market are just a few steps away. Getting here is easy. It takes about 15 minutes by tube, or a 25-minute walk from ME London, a hotel near London Bridge Station.

Marylebone station

Just a 20-minute walk from Meliá White House, small but charming Marylebone. It seems more like a village station than part of a major metropolis. The low ceilings and wooden benches transmit an air of another era, creating a peaceful space amid all the hustle and bustle.