Arrivals: Celebrating St Pancras International

By Hazel Last edited 196 months ago
Arrivals: Celebrating St Pancras International
ArrivalsStPancras.jpg

Unless there were leaves on the line, not enough station staff, delays at Paris holding everything up or industrial action on either side of the Channel, the first Eurostar train should be pulling into its new station at St Pancras this morning. We've had a sneak preview of what it's like and have been terribly excited about it so far, and at last, today, we get to see it in its full glory. We would make laboured train-based gags about how 'tooting' chipper we're feeling and how 'chuffed' we are about the restored St Pancras taking over as Eurostar's London home but trains haven't made those noises since the age of steam so we'll just have to find some other slightly lame gags. More to come, or send in your own suggestions.

To celebrate the arrival of Eurostar in St Pancras and the unveiling of the massively refurbished station, a programme of events and fun things has been created. Arrivals starts today and lasts until Sunday 25 November, with events taking place all around St Pancras and inside the station itself. Ostensibly to celebrate the station re-opening, it is also a good way to see what the area offers, especially as some of the highlights have been forgotten in the last few years of scaffolding and road works. Camley Street Natural Park, the Renoir Cinema, Scala, Wellcome Collection, The Place, the British Library, the Foundling museum and nearby shops, bars and restaurants are all taking part - check out the programme here to see what's going on.

Inside the station, a massive illustrated 'building wrap' by the beloved Quentin Blake greets passengers as they step on and off the trains. A day of live performances and activities is set for Saturday with things taking place in the champagne bar, the first class lounge and everywhere else - a great way to get a sneaky peek at places you might not get to see otherwise. Sunday is a musical day with live performances from local projects and special downloadable commissions from a French live podcast project that will be broadcasting French and British artists performing impromptu sets around London and Paris for your enjoyment. Arrivals is here!

Arrivals, a programme of events in and around St Pancras International. Starts today until Sunday 25 November, for full programme go to the website here.

Image courtesy of bradman334 from the Londonist Flickr pool.

Last Updated 14 November 2007