Why a London inn with links to Kew is the the UK’s only licenced pawnbroker pub
One of the great things about these walks are the really surpising things you discover. Why on earth does the Castle Pub in Farringdon have pawnbroker balls on its sign? Normally it might present a fleeting question as you go about your business, but there is a reason and it’s connected with Kew………
This particular walk in October 2024 followed an earlier one in March. Such was the interest that Helen Bartolome, a Blue Badge Guide and Kew resident, agreed to lead a second tour of Farringdon, one of London’s most historic areas.
The walk began at the area’s well known tube station: opened in 1863 it was the world’s first underground station making it a fitting start for our historic ‘Footsteps’ walk. And what a treasure trove of places we found on the way, all brought to life by Helen’s commentary.
Amazingly, there were many historic links to Kew and Richmond including The Charterhouse monastery which was formerly in Richmond; and the aforementioned Castle Pub, which curiously has pawnbroker balls on its sign and technically can still operate as a money lender.
And why? The pub is at the junction of Cowcross Street and Turnmill Street which in the early 1800’s was near an area notorious for drinking, gambling and cockfighting, among other things. One day an unusually well dressed man came in and asked the landlord if he could borrow some money. He had it turned out, run up some big gambling debts and needed to settle them. As security he offered his very smart pocket watch, so the landlord gave him some cash and didn’t think too much of it. Technically this meant he was acting as an unlicenced pawnbroker.
A few days later the landlord was surprised when a royal messenger turned up and offered a generous amount of cash to redeem the watch.
It’s smartly dressed owner was, it turned out, none other than King George IV who had been acting Prince Regent to George III, who was unwell and living at Kew Palace.
The messenger also presented the landlord with a Royal Warrant which meant that from that day onwards the pub was allowed to lend money in exchange for pledges.
And that is why The Castle is the only pub in England that, as well as its pub sign, is also able to display the three balls of a pawnbroker….thanks to the madness of King George in Kew.
Other places of interest included Smithfield Market, housed in Grade II listed buildings and the Poultry and General Market, soon to become the new London Museum.
We also visited St Bartholomew the Great, the oldest surviving church in the capital, and St John’s Gate, originally built as a monastery around 1148 and rebuilt in 1504, now home to St John Ambulance and the museum of the Order of St John.
Thanks so much for a fabulous talk Helen; even the weather was kind with the raining holding off until almost the end of our tour.
Let’s hope we can ask you to suggest another walk for 2025.
Heather Wakefield
Trustee