St Pancras Station has undergone an �800m transformation to become the UK's Eurostar hub.

It was built in the 1860s with grandeur in mind in a bid to outshine London's other stations.

The train shed, designed by William Barlow, was the largest enclosed space in the world.

Sir George Gilbert Scott's neo-Gothic Midland Grand Hotel with its spires and turrets became an instant landmark.

Alas, the building has suffered the vagaries of time and many original features have been damaged.

While the hotel is still being refurbished, the rest of the station has been restored to its former glory.

The fine masonry, including stone roses and gargoyles, and tiling were rediscovered after decades under layers of dirt.

Developers London & Continental Railways worked closely with English Heritage on the restoration project.

Boasting upmarket bars, eateries, shops and even a farmers' market, St Pancras wants to be a destination in itself.

With the opening of the new line, it will take 2 hrs 15 min to reach Paris, and one hour and 51 minutes to reach Brussels.

The project is spearheading the regeneration of the St Pancras and King's Cross areas.