London's railways are based around termini that point out in different degrees and serving the angle of window of that part of the country. ( IE - Waterloo for SW, Liverpool Street for the East etc.)
Intercity trains do not pass through the centre, nor does london have one big station, but if you were looking for a station close to the city centre then this is the one.
However, it is a bit of a puzzle. Opened very late (in 1990) it only has two platform and a very limited number of destinations like Streatham, Sutton, Wimbledon, Croydon, Gatwick Airport and Brighton to the south or King's Cross, West Hampstead, Luton, Luton Airport, Bedford or Cricklewood. There is no shops on the platforms, but at the ludgate hill entrance there is a WH Smith newsagents and an International Cheese Centre. The station is ideal for those wanting to get to St. Pauls Catherdral, Old Bailey, Temple and or Fleet Street.
With two entrances (one on Holborn viaduct and the other on fleet street where it meets Ludgate hill) and being located undergound it is more like a tube station than a rail station. Thankfully travelcards, and pay as you go oyster cards can be used at this station. although i think you can only go to London bridge, Blackfriars and Elephant and Castle to the south and to the north, Farringdon, Kings X, Kentish Town and West Hampstead.
Trains are fairly frequent but I would check before using this station which is very busy in the week but empty at the weekend. Finally be warned the Thameslink/FCC trains that use this station are often late or cancelled at the last moment. read more