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Rail feat of design and engineering
Visit refurbished St Pancras station - now an attraction in its own right
Have you boarded a train to visit the new station at St Pancras
International yet? If not, you are missing out on a real treat of British design and engineering.
The station has been transformed in recent years and is now an attraction in its own right. Originally designed by William Barlow in 1863, construction began in 1866.
The majestic Barlow train shed arch spans 240 feet, reaches to a height of over 100 feet and was once the largest enclosed space in the world.
Today, St Pancras is full of shops and eateries as well as being home to the longest champagne bar in Europe. Close by, the famous St Pancras station clock has been reconstructed and hangs high above the concourse, looking down on a huge bronze statue entitled 'Meeting Place'.
Another must-see is the statue of former poet-laureate John Betjeman, who successfully ampaigned to save the station from demolition in the 1960s which led to its designation in 1967 as a grade-I listed building.
Also grade-I listed is the equally impressive red brick faade of the former Midland Hotel which was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott.
As well as being home to domestic rail services, St Pancras is now the departure point for international journeys to France and
Belgium. St Pancras is also a good starting point from which to explore some of London's less well known attractions.
A short walk from the station leads to the Canal Museum which charts the
history of the capital's waterways. You can see inside a narrow boat cabin and learn about the people and horses that used to work along the canals.
The museum is situated in an old ice warehouse which was built for a famous ice-cream maker called Carlo Gatti. In addition to canal history, the story of ice-cream making and the ice trade is also told.
The museum is open daily, except Mondays, and on April 2 there will be a talk about the River Great Ouse. For more information, see www.canalmuseum.org.uk
Another attraction within walking distance of St Pancras is Camley Street Natural Park, created in 1984 from an old coal yard. This two- acre nature reserve is situated in the centre of London and runs alongside Regents Canal.
Here can be found woodland, wildflower meadows, ponds and marsh. There is a visitors' centre, and events and exhibitions often take place at
weekends. For opening times call 020 7833 2311 or email camleyst@wildlondon.org.uk
For those interested in books and maps, the British Library is located next to St Pancras International. The library is home to more than 13 million books as well as many journals, patents, sound recordings and much more. View maps, manuscripts, books and newspapers from the exhibition galleries.
Travel tickets can be purchased from Tourist
Information in St Paul's Square, Bedford.
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
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