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The Castle, Walthamstow
Our rating: 
User rating: 
(11 reviews)
User rating: (11 reviews)
FancyaPint?'s review...
The Castle, a grand Victorian pub on an imposing corner plot, is one of the more out-of-the-way places in Walthamstow. While the previous incarnation looked like it was done on the cheap it has now received a bit more thought with a dark and muted decor including the gastro-grey paint - they've taken a page from the sober tables and wooden floor book of pub renovation. Over to the left it's a bit more lively, with a whole wall dedicated to artwork. However, the overall effect can be a bit depressing when it's empty, rather than sophisticated. If such things concern you, the toilets are fantastic! The menu's gone a bit more upmarket, which it probably needed to to compete on the edge of Walthamstow Village. There's four well-kept ales on the taps to choose from, too. It's also got a nicely converted beer garden at the back which we can look forward to using when the weather improves. Frankly, this was a more pleasant experience than our last visit and we'll have to get back and see what the food's like.
Review: 0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
User reviews
08 Jan 2012
i live in walthamstow and the food and service is great,the manager is usually very lovely and his moustache is hot!
29 Oct 2011
OK but not a Gastropub -- A Gastropub for me means above average pub food and friendly pub service. We found neither on our first visit to this self-styled Gastropub in London's upcoming E17 Walthamstow Village area. The venue used to be a fairly ropey local pub that has clearly been lovingly transformed. In fact, the first impression this place gives is really very impressive. However the food does not live up to the ambience. We spent £40 on a light lunch for two, including drinks: one starter (Terrine of rabbit and pork) and two mains: gourmet burger, fries and coleslaw and a gnocchi dish and drinks. A generous slab of terrine was served with a miserly single slice of toasted baguette. When we asked if we could have another slice we were told it would cost an extra £1.50 for a portion of toast, with the money being demanded then and there! When we complained that we really only wanted another slice we were met with a surly response from wait staff AND managment. This was a really unfortunate first impression, I suppose for them and for us but we looked forward to our main course. However with the excepiton of the gnocchi dish, which was very good, the rest of the meal was very average pub food. I hope this place succeeds because a lot of love has clealry been put into its creation. I hope moving forward the management, who seem to be ambitious twentysomethings, learn to be a bit more generous and a little less defensive. I also hope they improve on the weaker dishes on the menu.
14 Jun 2010
this place looks better - nothing amazing but that's about it. I have been to a lot better pubs in Walthamstow and I don't think that this place warrants a second visit. It is now run by I understand a brother and sister. On our visit they were as inviting as a wet weekend. Clearly only in it for the money and have very little interested in the local community. The evening me and my girlfriends went in the female of the two siblings was screaming at one of her bar staff for making a mistake!
The bar staff on the other had were really nice. The food is ok very very limited menu which tasted like average pub - no where near the gastro pub standard. One veggie option only.
All in all ok but not very welcoming and very little atmosphere........lots better more better in the area run by people who have a sense for the area and a smile on there faces.
The bar staff on the other had were really nice. The food is ok very very limited menu which tasted like average pub - no where near the gastro pub standard. One veggie option only.
All in all ok but not very welcoming and very little atmosphere........lots better more better in the area run by people who have a sense for the area and a smile on there faces.
22 Mar 2010
Just a bad day? Went yesterday afternoon for lunch at about half two for our first visit. The place was buzzing, very lively with families and babies and not spare seat in the house, which we thought very promising. As we ordered our roasts at the bar the barman told us there would be a forty minute wait. I joked that would be fine so long as it wasn't an hour and a half or anything, to which the feller cheerfully responded that of course it wouldn't be that long. An hour and forty minutes later, we had to pretty much beg for some food or demand our money back. when it came, it came without roast potatoes and was stone cold. seriously not impressed. nor were three other tables, all who queued up with us to get our money back before being forced to go home and order pizza (as by then other pubs nearby had stopped service food). really not impressed. Fair enough it's busy, but if there is a problem then tell your clientelle, don't leave them hanging and certainly don't say food is going to be fifteen minutes if it isn't. Really awful customer service, and that's not even taking into account the terrible cold food. perhaps it was just a bad day. we will however be going again to give it another go as the place has a lot of potential we're hoping that it's normally fine and it was just the one day when the chef walked out mid-service or all the ovens self-destructed or something similarly catastrophic that would explain such a terrible sunday lunch service. get your act together, it is potentially a great place
14 Feb 2010
I think the place has had an amazing makeover. Beer is always nice and crisp, served in squeaky clean glasses, prices are reasonable and the bar staff are lovely! The place is always busy on Fri and Sat, it can be a challenge to get a table on Sun due to the roast and the quality of the place has much improved since the new owners took it on. It is now run by Ross and Ria – siblings that managed to turn this place into a very friendly and trendy pub open to everyone.
Coming on your own doesn’t feel uncomfortable – you have an impressive choice of books and a couple of games. Bar staff is always happy to spend some time having a chat with you and you generally feel very welcomed. It actually seems as if you were in someone’s living room.
They have been serving a food for over a couple of months now. Prices are competitive and quality is exceptional. On Mondays you have a really nice curry for £5, Tue - Sat a regular menu (my favourite is the vegetable tartlet) and on Sundays – roast. Desserts are fabulous but for me the chocolate brownie with ice-cream takes the prize.
The Castle seems to be going from strength to strength with constant improvements. I now have really high expectations with regards to the garden. I bet it will be amazing!
Coming on your own doesn’t feel uncomfortable – you have an impressive choice of books and a couple of games. Bar staff is always happy to spend some time having a chat with you and you generally feel very welcomed. It actually seems as if you were in someone’s living room.
They have been serving a food for over a couple of months now. Prices are competitive and quality is exceptional. On Mondays you have a really nice curry for £5, Tue - Sat a regular menu (my favourite is the vegetable tartlet) and on Sundays – roast. Desserts are fabulous but for me the chocolate brownie with ice-cream takes the prize.
The Castle seems to be going from strength to strength with constant improvements. I now have really high expectations with regards to the garden. I bet it will be amazing!
14 Feb 2010
On arrival at the Castle last night, I noticed the owner Ross talking to another customer with great enthusiasm about the NEW Fillet Steak he had just added to the menu, replacing the Rump Steak he wasn't happy with. As he handed us a revised menu, I questioned him about the new addition, I was told with excitement that he had just tasted the new fillet and believes it is one of the finest steaks he has ever eaten, anyone choosing this dish should be prepared to be impressed. I decided to take him up on the challenge. £15.95 for an 8oz Steak with chips and salad sounded like a good price. WOW, I'm glad I did, this was a fantastic meal. I asked for the Steak medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. The quality of the meat was sublime and the home made chips were great. The Castle now has a big fan in me, I will be telling all my friends about it. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the menu, I've heard the roast is also fantastic, see you sunday.
30 Oct 2009
Where's the great British Food? Still not there. We've been promised this since it opened, but noting has materialised. The new management is a joke, the pub being on it's third manager since they opened. The current one is nothing if not rude, OTT and extremely off putting. Doesn't say much does it? I've only had the chance to speak to one half of the leasee team ( the bloke - Russ, i think his name is) and he's a cocky, arrogant so and so. In it for the money, not for the Village. I've lived here for 16 years and this is the worst incarnation of the Castle I've come across. Bring back Rodge!
The atmosphere is dreadful. Yesterday evening they had a 'cocktail' evening. I was approached at 6.15pm by one of the bar staff, walking around the village giving flyers out, advertising the evening. Free cocktail before 7.30! Great, what a good time to tell people about it. Maybe a bit of advance warning? Anyway, we walked down to claim our free drink, only to turn around at the door. It was 7.15 and the place had seven people in. They can't even fill the place by giving away FREE booze. What a sorry state.
On a more positive note, the booze is reasonably priced now and I can't fault the bar staff.
The atmosphere is dreadful. Yesterday evening they had a 'cocktail' evening. I was approached at 6.15pm by one of the bar staff, walking around the village giving flyers out, advertising the evening. Free cocktail before 7.30! Great, what a good time to tell people about it. Maybe a bit of advance warning? Anyway, we walked down to claim our free drink, only to turn around at the door. It was 7.15 and the place had seven people in. They can't even fill the place by giving away FREE booze. What a sorry state.
On a more positive note, the booze is reasonably priced now and I can't fault the bar staff.
17 Sep 2009
Please update your website as this pub has had a major refurbishment and new landlords/bar manager and it's looking good - very good. Stripped wooden floors great toilets fresh and clean throughout the whole pub. Small beer garden to rear with a promise of a makeover shortly and they will be doing great British Food starting mid-October 2009. I would certainly recommend this venue. September 2009
Contact details
15 Grosvenor Rise East, Walthamstow, London, E17 9LB
020 8509 8095
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How to find the The Castle pub
From Walthamstow Central, take the right-hand exit from the station and head up the ramp. Veer right along the road and walk down Hoe Street towards Leyton. The 6th on the left should be Grosvenor Rise East and the pub in a little way up the road.
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History
24 May 12 Updated by cwmkirk
24 May 12 Updated by cwmkirk