No one seems to be sure why or how the area got its name. What seems to be true is that in 1765, a coaching inn called the Elephant and Castle established itself to offer a welcome retreat for coach traffic coming in and out of the south of London, and this featured an elephant shaped sign. This could be a source of the name but others propose that it’s a corruption of the Spanish phrase “Infanta de Castilla”, referring to Catherine of Aragon, who married Prince Arthur of England in the early 16th century.
The notorious roundabout in Elephant and Castle is known for being busy and rather congested but also for the stainless steel box sculpture that is displayed there. It’s a monument to the Victorian scientist Michael Faraday, whose main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic induction, and diamagnetism – no, us neither.
Award winning actor, Michael Caine grew up in the local area, which may have played a huge role in shaping his distinctive accent. Caine has also previously said in an interview that he met Charlie Chaplin “walking around the Elephant and Castle area”. Chaplin is, in fact, another notable alumni of the neighborhood and has had a lot of influence in the area. In 1965 a pub named after the actor was opened and he has also performed at The Coronet. Both sadly closed in 2017.
There is a notable Latin American influence in Elephant and Castle, with a vibrant and growing community. There are many small businesses and a great choice of restaurants that we can’t wait to explore. Some of the restaurants that are at the top of our list include, Ecuadorian restaurant El Guambra and La Barra, a Columbian owned restaurant.
Elephant and Castle offers a range of dining and drinking options from traditional pubs to a wide range of street food options. We have visited a few places already, including what’s become our go-to food spot, Mercato Metropolitano and pub-wise the Rosy Hue at Elephant Park has seen a lot of us as well. Top of the list at the moment, however, is The Ship Southwark – a proper pub that will even put your face on a pint of Guinness.
Elephant and Castle has been previously known for its pink shopping centre, which was a vital part of the community for 55 years. While many were sad to see it go, there are many exciting new projects being developed in the area, one of these being Elephant Park which offers an urban oasis featuring fountains, waterfalls, cafes, restaurants and bars.
The London College of Communication, part of the University of the Arts London, calls Elephant and Castle home. The university is known for its creativity and has notable alumni including the photographer Rankin and Charles Saatchi, owner of the Saatchi Gallery – plus it offers a really great PR course for anyone looking to pursue a career in the sector and/or a job at Fleet Street…
