For families in and around Harpenden, the Elephant & Castle in Amwell has long been a summer favourite. With its sprawling beer garden, kids' play area, tipi tent, and reliable food and drink, it’s the kind of place where you can happily lose a sunny afternoon while the kids remain fully entertained.
But like many venues with large outdoor spaces, it struggled during the quieter winter months and ultimately closed its doors at the start of 2026. It was a sad loss for the community, leaving a prominent local spot empty just as the warmer weather approached.
Happily, the story has a new chapter. Manuel and Manuella, the team who ran the pub during its post-lockdown peak, have returned to revive the venue under Chase Inns. The reopening was so eagerly anticipated that they ended up opening a day early on Sunday, announcing the launch on Instagram after two successful days of staff training. They even managed to secure a maximum 5-star Food Safety rating on their very first training day—a reassuring start under the new regime.
We went down to take a look at 4:30pm on Sunday and found the pub already packed, despite the official opening not being until Monday. The soft launch menu showed a real step change in quality, with the food being very much on point. A young, keen team did an admirable job of keeping up with a busy crowd in the stagnant Sunday heat.
The pub is now fully open, and we wish Manuel, Manuella, and the team the absolute best of luck with the relaunch. It’s fantastic to have the 'Ele' back in safe hands, and we look forward to seeing it thrive over the summer.
The Elephant & Castle Cheat Sheet
- The Location: Tucked away on Amwell Lane, Wheathampstead, St Albans (AL4 8EA). Call them on 01582 832175 or check out their website.
- The Summer Saver: The play area and tipi tent are fully operational, restoring a much-loved local family spot.
- The Beer Timeline: The doors are open now, but the proper cask beers will be flowing from this Tuesday onwards.