Food & drink / Cambridge
The Maypole
A family-run free house hidden off Bridge Street, combining a nineteenth-century pub lineage with one of central Cambridge's strongest independent beer selections.
01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
Choose the Maypole for a genuinely independent central pub whose family ownership, broad beer range and layered site history survive behind an easily missed lane.
The Maypole occupies a tucked-away position on Portugal Place, but its history is substantial. Licensing records trace the site through the Paul Pry and Maypole names in the nineteenth century, while the present premises also absorbed the former Plume of Feathers. The Castiglione family have run the pub since 1982 and bought its freehold in 2009. It remains recognisably a pub rather than a restaurant-led venue: multiple drinking areas, a covered terrace, an extensive changing beer range and Italian-influenced food give it a character distinct from Cambridge's managed city-centre houses.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
Pub records on the site extend into the nineteenth century.
- 02
The present premises combine the former Maypole and Plume of Feathers.
- 03
The Castiglione family have run the pub since 1982.
- 04
The family bought the freehold in 2009.
- 05
CAMRA named it Cambridge city Pub of the Year in 2026.
- 06
The pub remains independently operated rather than part of a national estate.
03 / The place
The building in context.
- Built
- Pub use documented from the nineteenth century
- Style
- Historic city-centre public house
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
No admission charge; drinks and food are individually priced.
Opening hours
The pub currently uses split daytime and evening hours on most weekdays and Sunday, with continuous opening on Saturday. Check the official website before travelling.
Booking
Walk-ins suit most visits; contact the pub directly for groups or dining at busy times.
Access
Access conditions vary between the historic interior and terrace. Contact the pub for current step-free entrance and accessible-toilet information.
Good to know
Short city-centre walk; some historic thresholds may be present. · Not normally required for drinks.
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Find it
and what’s nearby.
05 / Good to know
Questions,
answered.
01Is the Maypole an independent pub?
Yes. It is a family-run free house, with the Castiglione family owning the freehold.
02Is the Maypole easy to find?
It is close to Bridge Street and Jesus Green but tucked into Portugal Place, so it is easy to pass without noticing.
03Does the Maypole serve food?
Yes. It is known for homemade Italian-influenced food as well as its beer selection; check current service times.
04Do I need to book?
Usually not for drinks. Contact the pub for groups or if dining at a busy time.