Granary Square Fountains
a thousand dancing jets by the canal
A thousand choreographed water jets dancing beside the canal at King's Cross, free to watch and free to run through on a hot day.
Free to visit · King's Cross · King's Cross St Pancras · N1C 4AA
Opening: Fountains run daily, daytime into evening
Granary Square is the centrepiece of the rebuilt King's Cross, and its star turn is a grid of more than a thousand individually lit fountain jets choreographed to rise and fall in waves. Watching costs nothing, and on a hot day half of London's children end up soaked and delighted running through them.
The square opens onto the canal with broad steps down to the water, so you can buy a coffee or just sit on the terraces and watch the boats and the spray. After dark the jets are floodlit and the whole square takes on a different, calmer mood.
It anchors a wider free wander, the restored Coal Drops Yard, the towpath, Gasholder Park and the university gardens are all a few steps away. As a free spot to cool off or kill an hour, it is hard to beat.
Getting there: Two minutes north of King's Cross and St Pancras stations, along the canal behind the Granary Building.
Best time to go: A warm afternoon when kids splash through the jets, or after dark when they light up.
Insider tip: On a hot day bring a towel and let the kids loose in the jets, which are designed to be run through. After dark the lit fountains plus the canal reflections make a lovely free evening photo.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide