It’s part of London’s long tradition of naming areas after the local boozer
Elephant and Castle, one of London’s most uniquely named areas, owes its moniker to a centuries-old pub in the vicinity.
The pub’s history can be traced back to 1765, nestled right next to the Elephant and Castle Tube station. Prior to this, the site was occupied by a blacksmith’s forge, which eventually made way for an inn.
Sometime during the 1700s, the inn was rechristened ‘Elephant and Castle. ‘ The reason behind the choice of an elephant bearing a castle as its emblem remains a mystery, but the name endured – and soon the entire area embraced it.
Echoes of the peculiar name are still visible around the neighbourhood. A pink elephant statue, adorned with a castle on its back, currently perches atop Castle Square, a contemporary hub linking Ash Avenue and Elephant Park.
The pub is just a two-minute walk from the London Underground station(Image: MyLondon)
The original inn has undergone several reconstructions, and in 1959, it was razed during a significant redevelopment. However, a contemporary version of the pub continues to stand today, preserving the historic name.
The pub is impossible to overlook, courtesy of a large mural of an elephant carrying a castle on its back. Inside, it’s a bustling venue, teeming with office workers and students from the nearby University of the Arts London.
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Known for its vibrant atmosphere, the pub serves pints and burgers during the day and morphs into a late-night party hotspot in its basement. The rich red interiors, velvet seating, and expansive beer garden lend it a unique allure.
The pub keeps things lively with regular events, from bingo nights to a Wednesday stock exchange challenge where drink prices fluctuate based on demand. It’s also a haven for sports enthusiasts, screening all the major matches.
While it may appear as just another London pub, its name holds a significant part of London’s history.
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