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Rats Castle, St. Albans

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Operator: Punch Pubs & Co (Punch Taverns)
246 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, AL1 4UN (View on Google Map)
(01727) 898324
No website available
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Large and lively community local in a traditional saloon bar style. With a friendly welcome, several TV screens, pool table, dart board, juke box and fruit machines, this is very much an old-style drinkers' pub and is particularly popular with tradesmen at the end of the working day. Children are welcome until 7pm and the pub often has a more family atmosphere on Sunday afternoons when a meat raffle is held. The building is Edwardian with a later extension and internally it is decorated with photographs of old St Albans. There is a small patio at the rear for outdoor drinking in warmer weather. Located next to a large Morrisons supermarket, the pub is handy for a quick pint while waiting for a bus from the well-served stop just outside. Due to close on 10 May 2025 for a period - for a full refurbishment and name change - The Old Toll House.

Historic Interest

The pub's unique name is thought to derive from a turnpike toll house which stood on the site and fell into rat-infested disrepair in the late 19th century. Briefly renamed the "Castle" in the 1960s by its then owner Ind Coope, the pub name was restored after a campaign by locals. A more detailed pub history can be found at https://www.stalbansowneastend.org.uk.

Information for this venue is provided by the South Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Last updated
06/03/2025
Last surveyed
23/02/2022
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
SHE/713
Asset of Community Value
Sunday
Noon - Midnight
Monday
3:00pm - Midnight
Tuesday
3:00pm - Midnight
Wednesday
3:00pm - Midnight
Thursday
3:00pm - Midnight
Friday
Noon - 1:00am
Saturday
Noon - 1:00am

Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer (Usually only the one ale on but guest beers make an appearance occasionally.) and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen
Tring - Ridgeway
Tring - Ridgeway Session Bitter • 4%
Tring - Ridgeway
Tring - Ridgeway

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.

Source: National

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Sky, focus on horse racing
Live Music Live Music
Friday Nights
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Pool, Darts, Backgammon club
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
LocAle LocAle
Regular ale from Hertfordshire-based Tring Brewery
Transport
Close to bus routes (20m)
301, 302, 305, 601, 602, 653, 724, 725
Closest station (1200m)
St Albans City
Ordnance Survey Reference
TL167072

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