Farringdon · Islington
The Castle
London's only pub with a pawnbroker's sign, three brass balls and all.
- Address34-35 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6DB
- Phone020 7553 7621
- Websitethecastlefarringdon.co.uk
- OwnershipPart of Mitchells & Butlers (Castle)
About The Castle
A Grade II-listed Victorian corner pub beside Farringdon station, whose pawnbroker's licence is said to date back to a loan made to a future King George IV.
On the corner of Cowcross Street and Turnmill Street, a stone's throw from Farringdon station, The Castle hangs the three brass balls of a pawnbroker outside, which is rare enough to make it unique among London pubs. The tradition is that a landlord of the early 1800s lent money against a pocket watch to a well-dressed stranger who turned out to be the Prince Regent, the future George IV, and that a royal warrant followed to let the pub lend against pledges from then on; the story is more legend than documented fact, but a plaque and a painting inside keep it alive and the licence is still displayed. The present building, in yellow brick and stucco, was designed by H. Dawson, begun in 1865 and opened in 1867, and is Grade II listed; a pub of this name has stood on the site since at least the eighteenth century, and Sir John Soane's wife Elizabeth was born at an earlier Castle here in 1760. Owned by Mitchells & Butlers, it was refurbished in the early 2020s, with a new upstairs lounge and bar, while keeping floorboards and exposed brick in the main bar.
On tap
A real-ale pub, with Timothy Taylor Landlord as the regular cask and two changing guests; it holds a top Cask Marque rating.
Food
Lunch and evening meals are served daily; the kitchen closes earlier on Sundays.
More pubs in Farringdon
- The Betsey TrotwoodA Victorian pub with a basement dedicated to live gigs