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The Castle Inn, Cambridge
Cambridge
CB3 0AJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve C left this review about The Castle Inn
The Castle Inn is an Adnams run pub with bare board and tiled flooring throughout. The entrance leads to a central area that houses a big round table that is overlooked by a raised coal fireplace to the right. On the other side of the chimney breast is a seating area in the right side of the pub. A step to the left of the entrance leads up to the bar area with a counter that faces high tables along the front windows. Further to the left are small front and rear seating areas that are split by a central column. Out the back is a surprisingly large split-level patio garden with picnic tables and a couple of huts.
The bar counter supports six hand pumps that were drawing Broadside, Lighthouse, Ghost Ship, Southwold, Mosaic and Balmy Days, which is a decent collaboration with Vocation Brewery. Craft keg was also available, as was food with the Castle Burger coming in at £14. I though the barman was very friendly and the back music was of my era with a bit of Lightening Seeds et al. I liked it in here so will return when next in the area.
On 10th April 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about The Castle Inn
This is a large Adnams pub, consisting of two buildings of, I would guess, different ages and probably different original purposes too. There were six hand pumps with five Adnams beers plus a collaboration with Vocation. I went for the Old Ale which was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5). It was quite busy at just after 6pm, with people on their way home from work mingling with those on their way out for the evening, perhaps, and the staff were coping with a rush of orders, but I still felt that I had been made welcome. I'd be interested to try this place at a quieter time, having formed enough of an impression to think it would be worth coming back to.
Date of visit: 28th February 2024
On 4th April 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Castle Inn
This is an Adnam's house that unlike most of their tied houses is a long way from home. Since they took it over in 1994 it has become a regular GBG entry.
Inside it is a single room with wooden floorboards and distinct areas spread around the central bar. There is a garden of sorts at the back that I didn't investigate.
On the bar there were nine hand pumps with eight different Adnam's beers including the mighty Tally Ho their Xmas beer which is around 7% ABV and was going for just over a fiver a pint. I was very tempted by this as I hadn't tried it for many years but it was before midday so I went for the single guest ale, Lacon's Falcon (£3.65). This was in superb nick.
Although it is a distance away from the main centre and even further from the station it's well worth making the effort to visit.
On 22nd December 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Castle Inn
This is an Adnams' corner pub, which has a beer garden - taking its name from the fact it lies under the Castle mound. It is, in fact, spread over two buildings - a three storey, and at least Victorian, pub, along with a smaller, and what looks like, a former cottage. The old pub has sash windows and is in undressed brick excepting the lower frontage, which is in white brick. The oriel window on the side is interesting. The lower windows and surrounds appear modern. The cottage is in white brick with a dog-tooth cornice. The interior has a straight, open room, clearly once divided-up. The decor seemed to be light green, with dark green wood panel, although the small snug, with its fire grate, was in red and the lower end, part divided by a hearth feature seemed to be in blue. Old wood bench seats, tables stools and chairs a wood floor, give a traditional feel, as do the exposed beams. The mixed pictures on the walls give both a traditional and modern look. There is no TV that i saw and the music was mixed and at a decent level. The service was friendly and the clientele seemed mixed, many eating - though i didn't so i can't comment on that. Beer; usual taps stuff with Adnam's Southwold, Lighthouse, Explorer, Gunhill, Broadside and Oyster Stout (served flat, but tasted fine), with Purity UBU and Kite's Thunderbird on handpull. A great pub, with something for everyone. I will return when hopefully i pop back to Cambridge.
On 20th February 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Castle Inn
Apparently Adnams most westerly tied house, there was an extensive range of their beers available including Kolner, Lighthouse and Ghost Ship previously unseen by myself. Guests were Grain Harvest Moon, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Mauldon's Mid Autumn Gold. The pub has a series of interconnected rooms on the ground floor stepping up and down as you move around. The room to the far right appeared to be a dining room and was once a seperate cottage, the buildings having been knocked through. Upstairs is another bar resembling an attic but this was closed at the time. To the rear up a few steps is an attractive and secluded garden.
Wooden floors with one area quarry tiled, mostly traditional seating but there is the odd sofa. Some of the chairs look like old church or school chairs with shelves at the rear where I'm guessing prayer books or bibles would have been kept. Generally a bit of a modern and airy feel, light walls with the small snug-like area to the left of the bar done out in a shade of red. Some strange artwork too, including a picture of a packet of Hula Hoops. The landlord is John Halsey, one time member of The Rutles.
Not a bad spot all in all, but there is considerable competition in Cambridge.
On 10th October 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Castle Inn
CLOSED Sat 17:00ish.
On 28th January 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Timothy Angliss left this review about The Castle Inn
Really good atmosphere - less of a student pub than a locals pub, which makes a nice change for any students! Beer is good, with plently of rotating specials on the Ales section. Slightly expensive, though. Good pub food.
On 24th September 2004
- rating: 10
[User has posted 4 recommendations about 4 pubs]