Discover how a popular South London pub gave the Elephant and Castle area its iconic name and enduring legacy.
The pub opened around 1765. It was near the tube station. Before that, a blacksmith worked there. Then, it became an inn. Sometime in the 1700s, they named the inn ‘Elephant and Castle.’
Nobody knows why that symbol was chosen. Still, the name stuck for the area. You can still see hints of the name around. There is a pink elephant statue. It has a castle on its back. It sits on Castle Square now.
The original inn was rebuilt many times. In 1959, they tore it down. They were redeveloping the whole area. A new pub stands there though. The new pub uses the old name.
It is easy to spot. Look for an elephant and castle mural. It is a lively spot inside there. Students and office workers go there. The pub is full from 5 PM onward each day. It has a great atmosphere.
They serve pints and burgers. Later, it becomes a party spot. Its basement is a nightclub. The pub’s decor is deep red, velvet, and spacious. There is a large beer garden.
They have bingo and a stock exchange game. Sports fans watch matches there too. It looks like a regular pub now. But its name helped shape London.