I was expecting a keycard. Instead, the receptionist handed me a heavy brass key attached to a wooden tag engraved with “Cell 14.” The hallway smelled of old wood, disinfectant, and something unidentifiably institutional. I turned a corner and found myself standing in what was once a holding cell for accused criminals. Now it was my bedroom for the night. This is Clink78, a hostel housed in a former magistrates’ court and police station on King’s Cross Road, and it may be the most unusual accommodation I’ve ever booked as a solo traveler.
From Courtroom to Dormitory: The Design Story
Clink78 opened in 2012 after a meticulous conversion that preserved the building’s original features. The main lobby occupies what was once Courtroom 1 — the same room where, in 1977, members of the Sex Pistols were tried for swearing on television. The high ceilings, the judge’s bench, the jury box, and the wooden benches remain intact. Now the bench serves as a seating area, and the jury box is a quiet spot to read. The hostel’s founders deliberately kept the courtroom atmosphere, down to the original oak panelling and the brass fixtures. The result is a space that feels both grand and rebellious.
As a solo female traveler, I appreciated the design’s honesty. There is no attempt to mask the building’s past. Instead, the hostel leans into it — with exhibits of police memorabilia, prison uniforms, and even a replica of a 1980s police interview room that now functions as a TV lounge. The cells themselves have been converted into private rooms and dorms. Some still have the original barred windows (with a second layer of glass for noise reduction). The bed frames are metal, the walls are painted a deep institutional green, and the doors are the original heavy steel with a small viewing hatch. It’s not a gimmick; it’s a genuine preservation of history.
Sleeping in a Cell: What It Actually Feels Like
I booked a four-bed female dorm that was originally a police cell. The room measured roughly 3 by 4 meters — small by hostel standards, but cleverly designed. There were four bunks, two on each side, with individual reading lights, a shelf, and a USB charger. The window was tiny, set high in the wall, and covered by a metal grate. At first I felt a flicker of claustrophobia. But the ventilation was excellent, and the mattress was surprisingly comfortable. The shared bathroom was just outside the cell door — a converted corridor with modern showers and toilets.
The key detail that made it work for me was the lighting. The hostel installed adjustable warm lights that soften the harshness of the concrete walls. By the time I climbed into my bunk, I felt more like I was in a minimalistic capsule hotel in Tokyo than a prison. The experience forced me to think about confinement, freedom, and how much space we actually need. It was quietly meditative — a strange but welcome addition to my solo travel practice.
Social Spaces Without the Overwhelm
One of the challenges of solo travel is finding a social atmosphere that doesn’t feel forced. Clink78 solves this with a generous common area in the old courtroom, a bar called The Lock-Up, and a courtyard garden. The bar is open until 11 p.m. and serves affordable drinks, but it’s not a party hostel. The vibe is more of a relaxed hangout where travelers from different continents naturally start conversations. I met a woman from Melbourne who was on a three-month solo trip through Europe, and a graphic designer from Seoul who was documenting London’s Brutalist architecture. The courtyard, with its exposed brick walls and fairy lights, was my favourite spot for morning coffee.
For solo women, the hostel feels safe. The reception is staffed 24/7, the doors are locked after 10 p.m. (guests use a code), and the female dorms are separated from the mixed dorms. I never felt uneasy walking to the bathroom at night. The staff were friendly and protective — one receptionist even walked me to the tube station when I mentioned I was heading out after dark.
Location and Practical Perks
Clink78 sits on King’s Cross Road, a five-minute walk from King’s Cross St Pancras station. This makes it ideal for solo travelers arriving by train or Eurostar — you can walk from the station to the hostel in under ten minutes. The area is busy but not touristy; you’ll find local pubs, a Sainsbury’s, and a few independent cafés. The British Library is a ten-minute walk away, and the British Museum is about twenty minutes on foot. For a solo traveler who wants to explore London without staying in a sterile chain hotel, the location is excellent.
The hostel offers a free breakfast of toast, cereal, and tea/coffee — nothing fancy, but enough to start the day. They also have a luggage storage room, a laundry service, and a small kitchen for guests. The WiFi was reliable throughout my stay, which I appreciated for planning my next day’s itinerary.
Who Should Stay Here (and Who Shouldn’t)
- Stay if: you love history, design, and unconventional spaces; you’re a solo traveler who doesn’t need a private bathroom; you want a hostel with character and a social but calm atmosphere.
- Skip if: you need total silence at night (the walls are thick, but the corridors echo); you have claustrophobia in small spaces; you prefer a hotel with a private bathroom and a full-service breakfast.
For solo women, I would add: the cell rooms are small, but they are also incredibly quiet. The thick walls and the heavy doors block out most noise. I slept better there than in many larger hostels. Also, book the female dorm directly on their website — they often have a specific “cell” female dorm that is not available on third-party booking sites.
A Final Concrete Detail
One last thing: the free guided tour on Fridays at 6 p.m. is worth the 20 minutes. The staff member leading mine pointed out a graffiti tag hidden behind a courtroom panel — left by a Sex Pistols fan from the 1977 trial. It’s the kind of detail you’d never notice on your own, and it made the stay feel less like a gimmick and more like a genuine connection to London’s punk history.
