The Castle Public House

The Castle Public House is a Grade II listed public house located at 34-35 Cowcross Street in Farringdon, London. A pub of this name has existed on the site since at least the 18th century; Elizabeth Soane, wife of Sir John Soane, was born at an earlier pub of the same name on the same site in 1760. The current building was constructed by architect H. Dawson starting in 1865 and opened on 21 November 1867. The pub underwent a refurbishment in 2022, which changed the front of the business and added an upstairs lounge and bar. The Castle is notable for its pawnbroker's sign—three brass balls—on the exterior, with a smaller one inside. An apocryphal story claims King George IV issued the landlord a pawnbroker's license after pawning his gold watch to pay off a debt from betting on a cockfight in Clerkenwell. A plaque inside states that The Castle has been issued a pawnbroker's license annually since. It is the only pub in London with a pawnbroker's sign. In May 2023, Tesco operated a pop-up pub called King in The Castle inside the venue for two days to celebrate the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. All proceeds from those days, plus £250,000 from sales of a limited-edition Coronation range, were donated to The Prince's Trust, and bookings sold out within hours.

A public house named The Castle has existed on the site of 34-35 Cowcross Street in Farringdon, London, since at least the 18th century. Elizabeth Soane, the wife of the renowned architect Sir John Soane, was born at an earlier pub of the same name on this site in 1760. The current building was constructed by architect H. Dawson, with construction starting in 1865 and the pub opening on 21 November 1867. The building is Grade II listed, recognizing its architectural and historical significance. In 2022, The Castle underwent a refurbishment that altered the front of the business and added an upstairs lounge and bar. The pub is famous for its pawnbroker's sign—three brass balls—displayed on the exterior, with a smaller version inside. An apocryphal tale recounts that King George IV granted the landlord a pawnbroker's license after pawning his gold watch to settle a debt from a cockfight bet in Clerkenwell. A plaque inside the pub asserts that The Castle has been issued a pawnbroker's license annually ever since. It is the only pub in London to feature a pawnbroker's sign. In May 2023, Tesco operated a pop-up pub named King in The Castle within the venue for two days to celebrate the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. All proceeds from those days, along with £250,000 from sales of a limited-edition Coronation range, were donated to The Prince's Trust. Bookings for the pop-up sold out within hours of the announcement.

• 2023

  Tesco operates a coronation-themed pop-up pub, King in The Castle, for two days in May.

• 2022

  Refurbishment changes the front and adds an upstairs lounge and bar.

• 1867

  The Castle opens on 21 November.

• 1865

  Construction of the current building by architect H. Dawson begins.

• 1760

  Elizabeth Soane, wife of Sir John Soane, born at an earlier pub of the same name on the site.

Historic Grade II listed pub with unique heritage features, serving as a local and tourist destination in Farringdon.

• Beer and ale

  Typical pub beverages served at The Castle.

• Pub food

  Food offerings available at the pub.

1. 1The Castle, Farringdon - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Castle Public House - Wikidatawikidata.org