A complete gem of a site. Located in London, near Kings Cross station it was once a luxury hotel but eventually closed due to a lack of patronage, retaining some use as offices for Network Rail. St Pancras boasts two iconic towers including a stunning clock-tower and still contained its original rail terminal within its basement. It is currently being renovated to be turned back into a hotel, another part of the St Pancras Eurostar scheme.

The Midland Grand was a bit of a tough site to crack, as a round the clock active site it was constantly swarming with builders and sat between two police stations, one metropolitan and one transport. This proved a little ermm, problematic at the best of times.

As our originally group was far too large to attempt a potential access at once we split into two groups, each taking it in turns to jump the fence and barrel through the makeshift door. We waited for the street to clear, waited some more and some more, being situated next to one of London’s busiest railway stations there was always a steady flow of pedestrians. Eventually a gap opened up and we jumped over, opened the door and freezing in place. Stood right in front of us was a burly worker, tool belt on, a confused look on his face. We panicked, the awkward silence broken by equally awkward questions.

Builder: “How did you get in here?”

“We were let in at the back gate”

Builder: “Why didn’t you use the front?”

“They weren’t answering the bell”

Builder: “Wheres you uniform and hard hat?”

“In the lockers were just going to get them now”

Builder: “You best hurry as if the foreman catches you you’ll be in trouble”

And with that he walked off, We looked at each other gobsmacked, how did we just get away with that blatant lie? Not one to refuse a free gift we disappearing into the building, climbing up and out into the courtyard. The first group had now reached a higher floor and were directing us around the minefield of workers and security guards walking around courtyard. We made our way across and into the grand staircase, frequently diving behind objects as workers approached.

Wow, amazing, a fine piece of victorian work. Long, dual spiralled wooden staircases wrapped around the walls, crossing at each level before stopping at the top, giving way to the arched ceiling housing the fantastic paintwork and decor. They don’t make them like this anymore.

We headed up towards the first tower. This was huge easily the biggest tower space wize I had been in. As we slowly worked our way up rotting wooden ladders, we came to a hatch at the top, throwing it open. The cool night air swept over us as we took in the views of London and the surveyed the new station under construction. It was from this vantage point we saw our final objective, the Pancras clock tower.

The staircase to the clock tower was loud, creaky and falling to bits, every step shaking its supports, the entire staircase threatening to break away. With perseverance and a little pray we reached the clock faces and it was here we remained until the sun began to rise, a notification that it was time to leave.