5 reasons why you should check out The Denbigh Castle

A traditional pub which attracts the ‘maddest mix of people’, The Denbigh Castle is full of character and well-known for serving up fun and character alongside its craft and cask beers.

Owner Fiona Hornsby, who refurbished and re-opened The Denbigh Castle with husband Dominic in 2020, says: “It’s a boss old Liverpool pub. We have a lovely beer garden, some great evenings with spoken word and poetry nights, and an 80s night.”

But whichever day or night you go, there’s one thing guaranteed for everyone who steps inside: “We always have a laugh.”

And if that doesn’t tempt you to pay a visit, maybe this will:

Free room hire downstairs

If you’ve got a big birthday coming up or a family event you want to celebrate, forget trying to cram everyone into your own front room. The Denbigh Castle’s got a great function room that’s available to hire for free; there’s loads of cosy and comfy chairs and tables, drinks are on tap, and you can crank up the music without worrying about disturbing the neighbours.

Charity begins…in the pub

As a young licensee Fiona learned a pub was part of the community and you should always help that community: something she’s done throughout her career. Last year The Denbigh and Fiona’s other venue, The Bridewell, raised almost £10,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of a much-loved customer who died after being diagnosed with the condition, and collected donations for Fans Supporting Foodbanks. Only this weekend Francis Harvey-Wilson, 28, Denbigh’s assistant manager, donated the hair he’d grown through lockdown to The Little Princess Trust which makes and donates wigs to young people who’ve lost their hair through cancer treatment, and set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for West Everton Community Council (WECC) Food Project. Donate here.

Friendly atmosphere won it Pub of the Year 2021 at LCR Tourism Awards

Cracking company and a chat and a giggle are par for the course, but you don’t have to take Fiona’s word for it. It was its warm and welcoming vibe that won it the Pub of the Year: “People come here and talk to each other – and to the people on the table next to them.”

Great for football

Large TVs mean all the big matches will be screened, so if you can’t get to the game you can cheer on your team with the rest of the regulars while you enjoy a pint or two and compare commentaries. But it’s not just footie you’ll find here – darts, cricket, rugby and horse racing are regular features too (and if the action on the box slows down you can admire the amazing sporting memorabilia that lines the walls or have a game of darts, dominoes, shove ha’penny or bar billiards yourself).

History

Almost hidden on one of the quirky streets between Dale Street and Tithebarn Street, The Denbigh Castle dates back to at least 1815. It’s one of the oldest pubs in the area and Hackins Hey – where you’ll find it – is one of the oldest streets in Liverpool, named after John Hacking through whose croft, enclosed by hedgerows, the road was laid out in the 1600s. In 1852 the pub was extended but the old facade remains and you can still see the original steps of the front door.