Latest news with #StPancras
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Offgrid adventures: Connecting with nature and friends in the Peak District
There's a certain rhythm my friends and I have settled into over the past year. We might all live in different corners of the city – some of us juggling busy jobs, others leaning into the transitional periods that seem to be the foundation of our twenties – but nothing brings us together quite like a good hike. What started out as a solo venture to spend time off-grid, slowly grew into making new friends with shared passions that go beyond just our love of walking and nature. But wherever our lives take us, we keep finding our way back to where it all started – getting together in the Great Outdoors. So when the idea of finally ticking Kinder Scout off our hiking bucket list came up in the group chat, there wasn't much convincing needed. The Peak District had been calling our names for a while – a mix of dramatic moorland, rich history, and the unbeatable feeling of being fully immersed in nature. The perfect weekend to come together and conquer a new challenge. The great escape After wrapping up our busy weeks, we met up at St Pancras train station ready to leave the chaos of our lives behind for a few days. We opted for the train as a way to kick back, decompress and focus on catching up without the stresses of having to navigate traffic or busy roads. With our 26-30 Railcards in hand, we excitedly boarded the carriage, with the money saved on our train travel put elsewhere toward our weekend plans. The train journey was full of the usual – anticipation for the weekend ahead and moments of panic that we'd somehow managed to pack completely wrong. Then, before we knew it, we had arrived in Hope, Derbyshire. Arriving at our stay for the weekend – the charmingly named Mushrooms and Mullions Cottage – we excitedly ran through its cosy rooms to claim beds and take in the views. A simple midnight dinner of the viral Gigi Hadid pasta recipe fuelled us for the next day, and we settled into the space feeling sure this would be the reset we'd been craving. RDG 1 Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 3 Saturday morning delivered exactly that. After a week of screens and city noise, we were ready for fresh air and an excuse to switch off. We set off from Upper Booth, picking out local ice cream from a vending machine – between us we had a mix of chocolate, honeycomb and mint chocolate chip. Spirits and blood-sugar high, we began the Kinder Scout trail. The landscape rolled out in every direction: endless green hills, stone paths underfoot and a gentle country breeze. It was a near-immediate transition to a steep climb, but with the consistent support and encouragement from one another we pushed through. We laughed through the struggles and gave ourselves room to pause and take it all in (or pretend to take it in while catching our breaths). But really those breaks came as a reminder of what the weekend was really about: connection to ourselves, nature and each other. RDG Gallery 2 Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 3 We passed through the dramatic and winding gorge that is Grindsbrook Clough, which left both ourselves and our worries feeling small. The views throughout offered everything we could've hoped for: a proper challenge and some of the Peak District's most striking landmarks. Jacob's Ladder was our first major moment of awe as we navigated yet another steep but rewarding ascent – but this time giving us glimpses of the valley opening out behind us. We passed through the dramatic and winding gorge that is Grindsbrook Clough, which left both ourselves and our worries feeling small. These landmarks reminded us how much of a climb is about the journey, not just the summit. Between the outbursts of rain, we took time to take in the experience through stillness, singing along to favourite songs and in noticing the small things we often miss in everyday life, like bugs catching a ride on our sleeves. The further we hiked along the Kinder Scout trail, the stronger our feelings of a need to return. The trail humbled us. Each time we thought we'd reached the top, another hill revealed itself just beyond our view. But eventually, we came out the other side. Refuelling and resetting After the hike, we stopped for a celebratory pint at Ye Olde Nags Head in Castleton, soaking in the good weather with locals and other walkers. Even here, the scenic views continued as we took in the view of Mam Tor overlooking the quaint village – a perfect spot to take in all we'd just accomplished. From the backstory of Peveril Castle to its ties to Game of Thrones, it was clear to see how this charming village could hold such a rich history. We headed back to our cottage for a much-anticipated BBQ in the garden. Our legs heavy but proud, we quickly showered and prepped a well-deserved feast just in time for Golden Hour. We sat in the garden for hours until the sun had set, sharing plates and reflecting on the day. RDG GALLERY 3 Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 3 We hopped on the train feeling full – not only from the fruit and pancakes and the miles we had walked, but from the sense of togetherness we'd found along the way. Sunday morning came too quickly. We used it as an opportunity to soak in the weekend one last time as we enjoyed a final breakfast in the garden. We hopped on the train feeling full – not only from the fruit and pancakes and the miles we had walked, but from the sense of togetherness we'd found from the moment we hopped on the train at St. Pancras. While hiking is in many ways about the summit and views, it's also about the moments in between: carrying each other's backpacks, the moments that don't quite go according to plan and the shared appreciation while taking it all in. These are the moments that have stayed with us most, as we begin to plan out our next adventure. Enjoy great value British adventures by train From stunning nature and the Great Outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there's no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there's never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation. With Railcard, whether you're travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Passengers evacuated from St Pancras station after blaze tears through van - and members of the public are told to stay away
Passengers have been evacuated from one of Britain's busiest stations after a van caught fire - with flames and smoke blazing over London. Onlookers watched as crews tackled the fireball outside St Pancras rail station this morning - as travellers were told to stay away. Police were on the scene but Scotland Yard said the London Fire Brigade was leading, after the unexplained blaze reported shortly after 10am today. The London Fire Brigade said: 'We were called to one van alight outside St Pancras train station on Midland Road. 'We were called at 1017 and the incident was under control by 1101. The van was completely destroyed by the blaze. 'Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Kentish Town fire station were at the scene. Our 999 Brigade Control officers received eight calls alerting them to the fire.' The brigade said the cause of the fire was under investigation. There were no reported injuries. Buses nearby were put on diversion while members of the public were urged to avoid the area in central London, near neighbouring King's Cross station.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- The Sun
Blaze tears through van outside St Pancras station in central London as passengers told ‘AVOID the area'
THOUSANDS of passengers have been evacuated from a major train station after a van exploded outside. Fire crews were spotted tackling the blaze as the vehicle was engulfed in flames outside St Pancras International station in central London. 2 2 A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'We're currently attending a van fire near St Pancras Train Station. "The Brigade was called at 10.17am and two fire engines are at the scene. "Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.' is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Van engulfed by flames outside St Pancras International sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky
A van has burst into flames outside St Pancras International station, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. Firefighters are tackling the blaze which erupted after 10am on Tuesday morning. Dramatic video has been shared of the vehicle consumed by flames with a small crowd of onlookers watching the scene unfold. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson told the Standard: 'We're currently attending a van fire near St Pancras Train Station. The Brigade was called at 1017 and two fire engines are at the scene. Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.' This article is being updated...
Bloomberg
13-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Eurostar Needs Competitors to Power High-Speed Rail Renaissance
Disembarking from the Eurostar international rail service beneath the magnificent arched roof of London's St Pancras station always gives me a thrill. Whooshing through a 31-mile (50-kilometer) tunnel beneath the English Channel and arriving in the heart of Britain's capital less than two and half hours after leaving Paris makes the stress of flying and the associated burning of hydrocarbons feel uncivilized. And yet, my pleasure is sometimes tinged with disappointment: about Eurostar's sometimes high fares, crowded departure lounges and the limited number of direct international connections. Happily, there's a fix for these issues: increased investment and greater competition.
