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Detail Pages
The King & Castle (Lloyds No. 1 ), Windsor
Windsor
SL4 1PL
Pub Type
J D WetherspoonReviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The King & Castle (Lloyds No. 1 )
Trundles along much as it ever did. The cask ale is starting to get a bit ‘long pour’ now though – new lines needed as my latest foray, a half of Saltaire Banquet (NBSS 2.5), showed.
Dec 2017
Still serving-up well. A good, consistent Spoons in my opinion.
December 2015
Superb pint of Rebellion Roasted Nuts in here the other day.
December 2014
Revisit found little change from my 2009 review. My Salopian Holly Bush was in excellent nick. I still think this is a fairly good Spoons, even if the prices are higher than 98% of their other outlets (still at least 20p+ cheaper per pint than pretty much anywhere else in SL4 mind you…). Rated 7
November 2009
Massive JDW opposite the castle. Spread over three floors along with an outside garden, it's quite smartly kitted-out (wood panelling etc) though has a few pretensions above its station especially in the evening at weekends. However it’s a decent stop for a pint during the daytime and the rear patio area is nice. Prices seem to be a wee bit more expensive than the generic Spoons, or is that just me? Ales often have a local slant, Rebellion gets on a lot though the usual Spoons quantity can sometimes be absent. One of the better Spoons and worth popping in if visiting Windsor. Rated 7
On 20th April 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The King & Castle (Lloyds No. 1 )
This is a pretty decent sized branch of the Wetherspoons chain, located in a former branch of Boots in the shadow of Windsor Castle. The pub has much of your usual Wetherspoons sights and sounds but includes a number of slightly fancier furnishings and fittings such as the smart dark wood wall panelling that covers much of the main room and some rather nifty looking chandeliers. Seating comes in the form of the tried and tested high tables and stools and standard tables and chairs, which run through the bulk of the pub, all broken up from one another by copious Covid partitioning screens and a few small pillars and other such structural dividers. Smarter, comfier seating can be found towards the right-side of the room, whilst the bar occupies the left-hand wall, with a typical ‘Spoons counter and bar back, surrounded by smart floorboards, in contrast to the carpeting through the rest of the room. Stairs lead you up to a compact mezzanine level with what appeared to be a reasonable supply of overspill seating looking down to the main bar area, although I didn’t go up there to explore it properly myself. A set of doors in the rear left corner lead out to a small patio garden, split over two levels with plenty of good quality garden furniture to choose from and several oversized umbrellas to give a modicum of shelter.
As with most of my post-pandemic Wetherspoons visits, not having access to the ‘Spoons app made ordering a drink quite a lengthy task, but I eventually collared a passing member of staff who informed me that they had two guest ales – Windsor & Eton Guardsman and Strathaven Ebony – available alongside their three regular cask options. I ordered a pint of the Ebony, which was a pleasant, luxurious oatmeal stout that rounded off my crawl very nicely.
This could quite easily have come across as a lazy, shop converted branch of this ubiquitous chain, but the interior design team have clearly been at work trying to make it feel a bit more upmarket for the tourist masses who have just been admiring the interiors in the neighbouring castle. It kind of works, but at the end of the day, it’s still a ‘Spoons so expectations are best kept in check. Better than I’d expected, but not one to visit ahead of the town’s top pubs.
On 26th August 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The King & Castle (Lloyds No. 1 )
Being situated directly opposite Windsor Castle I was hoping I might find Liz & Phil the Greek here joining a raucous throng of the Daytime Brigade but no such luck. It must be too expensive even for them.
Although it's a large Spoons it is only so because it covers several levels.
I stuck to the ground floor which isn't cavernous for a Spoons but did notice that there is a massive outside terrace at the back which on my December visit was empty. The furnishings were much plusher than your average JDW. Although this is still listed as a Lloyds No. 1 in their last directory there is no Lloyds ID externally and it's hard to see how this could be turned into a night club. The only clue to any Lloyds credentials may have been that Sky News was shown on the TV.
The ground floor bar has two sets of hand pumps, one with six and one with four. On my visit these had GK IPA & Abbot and cider doubled up leaving Hook Norton AFO, Tetley Christmas Cracker, Doom Bore and London Pride. I thought this was a pretty poor selection compared to the doomed Windlesora. I went for the International Hook Norton AFA which was in excellent condition but at £3.10 a pint should have been. At least it wasn't poorly kept like many of the similarly expensive Spoons beers I've had in Central London.
For me this place was just a tourist trap and they are welcome to it. I wouldn't return.
On 14th December 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The King & Castle (JD Wetherspoon)
Multi level interior with a terraced patio area at the rear. Located across the road from Liz and Phils gaff. Usual spoons selection.
On 12th October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The King & Castle (JD Wetherspoon)
Directly opposite Windsor Castle, the pub takes its name from the combination of this and the bust of Edward VII which is located above the side alley which descends towards the river. The pub is on three levels, the entrance level has the main bar, downstairs also has a bar albeit with a limited range on the pumps whereas the upper level, which is galleried, seems to be more of a specific dining area with good castle views from the front windows. The main bar area looked to me to be a very well established pub with a dark wood bar with a carved back and Tudor rose inlays on the bar front, not your usual JDW fittings. Research indicates the building was originally a chemist shop but was converted to a pub in 1967, Wetherspoons claimed it in 2002. Unfortunately I have drawn a blank on previous ownership.
The main bar has some decent wood panelling, a chandelier and a station style clock hung from a bracket, the panelling upstairs is a much more recent fit however there is a decent decorative ceiling up there. Décor includes the expected castle and river scenes.
As for the beers, a bit of a disappointment, I usually visit 'spoons outlets for keenly priced ales with a good selection however in here there was just one of what I would regard as a guest on in the shape of Marlow Rebellion Mutiny which at £3.05 is very much at the upper end of JDW pricing. Tourist prices here then clearly. Other options were GK IPA, Doom Bar, Abbot, Weston's Marcle Hill cider, Maulden Silver Adder and Pride were "coming soon".....can't wait for the Pride. The generic 'spoons menu was also noticeably dearer than the usual.
Despite some misgivings it is not a bad spot overall, the rear garden and terrace looks to be a good spot on the right day and my pint was in decent shape. I'd prefer a better beer range though if I dropped in again.
On 10th May 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tom Fairburn left this review about King & Castle (JD Wetherspoon)
You HAVE TO visit the 'King+Castle' pub when in Windsor central. It's a big pub! It has at least 4 levels. Restaurant area at the very top, with an unusual 'walkway' going across the main bar floor, with an excellent view down on patrons below! How many pubs can boast that..?! They have cleaned up and extended the garden/patio area downstairs at the rear, for all the unfortunate folk who are addicted to setting fire to shredded leaves of whatever sort. The staff are usually helpful and efficient, and usually kept quite busy by a regular turnover of clientele. When drinking in Windsor you MUST include a stop off in the K+C for a quick aperitif before, or after, (or both) your theatre visit or evening meal. And raise a glass to the illustrious neighbour living opposite! God bless 'er! :o) TJ
On 21st April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 59 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about King & Castle (JD Wetherspoon)
Typical Wetherspoons interior but much smaller than is normal for this chain.Only five handpumps dispensing real ale and a dull selection GK Abbott,Pedigree,Courage Best.... but the Nelson's Revenge was palatable.More room on the first and second floors but this is not really a pub focussing on real ale and is more for the under 25 town centre circuit crowd.
On 23rd April 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lefty Zacharides left this review about King & Castle
The King and castle is situated on the hill just opposite windsor castle, I beleive it has a seating area out the back although I don't know for sure.
On 2nd November 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 11 recommendations about 11 pubs]