About This Pub
Ah, the Elephant and Castle – it's one of those pubs that really captures the heart of Hertfordshire, with its beautiful 18th-century building and those picturesque gardens that are just begging for a lazy afternoon. I love how they've got plenty of space outdoors, complete with tipis and a play area for the little ones, making it a brilliant spot for families or groups looking to soak up the sun. The food is a real highlight too; think fresh, locally sourced meals that pair perfectly with their cracking selection of drinks, especially those award-winning ales from the local brewery. The staff are always so warm and eager to please, which adds to that welcoming atmosphere. But, and I have to be straight with you, it does have its downsides – on busy days, things can get a bit overwhelming, with the kitchen struggling to keep up, leading to issues like cold chips or forgotten orders. Still, if you time your visit right, say on a quieter weekday, you'll probably have a cracking time. Overall, it's a gem worth checking out for a proper pub experience, as long as you're prepared for the occasional hiccup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The Elephant and Castle is a charming 18th-century pub with heaps of character and stunning views over leafy Amwell – it's got that cosy, historic vibe that makes you feel right at home.
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They've got brilliant outdoor spaces, including two large gardens with tipis, a wild flower area, and even a kids' play frame, making it ideal for families or a sunny afternoon pint.
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The food is top-notch, with delicious locally sourced dishes and home-cooked meals that hit the spot, plus an exciting selection of wines, gins, whiskies, rums, and award-winning real ales from the local Farr Brew.
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The staff are genuinely friendly and welcoming, always doing their best to make your visit enjoyable, even when things get busy.
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It's got a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for celebrations or just unwinding, and the overall value feels spot on for what you get.
Cons
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It can get overwhelmingly busy, especially on sunny days or weekends, which sometimes leads to long waits and service slip-ups like forgotten orders or cold food.
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Food quality can be hit or miss when they're stretched thin – we've heard of overcooked dishes or even raw items, which is a shame given how tasty it usually is.
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With the kitchen getting overwhelmed at peak times, it might not be the best spot if you're after a quick, hassle-free meal.
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Being a popular place, the charm can sometimes feel a bit diluted when it's packed, making it harder to enjoy the peaceful setting.
Contact Information
Amwell La, St Albans AL4 8EA
+441582832175
Pub
Opens at 12:00
Opening Hours
| Monday (Today) | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Recent Reviews
Terrible today. Very busy and simply couldn't cope. Kitchen was overwhelmed. Serving staff did their best. My wife's order was forgotten, my chips were cold, my fish overcooked. They were overstretched and many people were having problems. The food would have been excellent if they managed the flow of demand. I think they were caught out by the clement weather and surge of people arriving without booking and wanting food... ordinarily this place is a gem.
We had a lovely meal here yesterday to celebrate a birthday, the pub is beautiful, very old with heaps of charm, it was a very sunny day so it was super busy but the staff were brilliant and we didn’t have to wait long for our food!
There is a lovely big outdoor space for children to run around with the added bonus of a play area with a slide and climbing frame!
We Would definitely come here again!
This pub was absolutely lovely, filled with friendly clientele and even more friendly staff. The food was fantastic and at a slightly cheaper price point than we had seen at other nearby places, the only reason I gave the food 4 stars and not 5 was that the meat on the roast was a bit overdone for my liking but that's a personal preference. We did come quite late. We will definitely be back.
This quint little pub sits off the beaten track, and its outdoor canopies are decorated inside with ivy and fairy lights.
The staff were very welcoming and polite throughout. We were a table of five, and the food was mostly very good. However, my chicken burger was raw inside. The staff were very apologetic and instantly gave me a replacement and took the meal off the bill. It would not stop me from returning, everybody makes mistakes sometimes. So let's hope it was just a one off.
Really liked this pub, 1st time here yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and setting. The decoration is great and the staff pleasant, they're all pretty young and I think still learning - which is great. Didn't try the food but it looked very good. I'll definitely be going back to try some at a later date. Well done guys. A visit is highly recommended
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