The Crossing, Granary Building (Kings Cross), ping-pong in King's Cross

Photo: King's Cross (kingscross.co.uk)

The Crossing, Granary Building (Kings Cross): Ping Pong in King's Cross, London

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The Crossing, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London ยท N1C 4AA

The Crossing is the big public hall inside the Granary Building at King's Cross, and it doubles as a free table tennis spot. There are up to four tables in the open space, you do not book and you do not pay. Grab a bat and balls from PlayMade's PlayPod in the UAL atrium next door, find a free table and play. It suits anyone after a casual, no-strings game: students from Central Saint Martins, people killing time before a train, friends meeting near Granary Square.

This is not a bar or a club, it is a public concourse, so it is relaxed and walk-in by nature. Tables sometimes shift outside when the weather is good or when an event takes over the hall, so it pays to be flexible about exactly where you end up playing.

The ping pong setup

Up to four table tennis tables sit in The Crossing, the big public hall inside the Granary Building (home to Central Saint Martins). You do not bring your own kit. Bats and balls live in PlayMade's PlayPod in the UAL atrium, so collect a set there and find a free table. The hall is wide open, so there is room to move around the table. When the weather is good or an event takes over the space, the tables sometimes move outside, so do not panic if the hall looks empty.

Good to know

It is genuinely free and there is no booking, so you just turn up and play when a table is free. Because it is a public area of a working building, access follows the building's open hours rather than a posted schedule, and busy times can mean a short wait. There is no dress code and all abilities are welcome. There is also a regular table tennis community that meets here daily and plays casual games through the week, so you may find friendly regulars happy to knock up.

Nearby and getting there

You are right on Granary Square, a couple of minutes north of King's Cross St Pancras, which puts you on the Victoria, Northern, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines plus National Rail and Eurostar. Coal Drops Yard is a short walk away and has its own free tables outside UNIQLO if The Crossing is busy. The square has plenty of cafes and food spots, so it is easy to pair a game with a coffee or lunch.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Crossing at the Granary Building?
It is the large public hall inside the Granary Building at King's Cross, home to Central Saint Martins, where you can play free table tennis on up to four tables.
Is the table tennis free?
Yes. It is completely free to play and there is no charge for using the tables.
Do I need to book a table?
No. There is no booking. You just turn up and play when a table is free.
How many tables are there?
There are up to four tables in The Crossing. They sometimes move outside when there is an event on or the weather is fine.
Where do I get bats and balls?
Bats and balls are at PlayMade's PlayPod in the UAL atrium. Collect a set there before you play.
What is the nearest station?
King's Cross St Pancras is a couple of minutes' walk, with Underground, National Rail and Eurostar services.

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