# The Maypole, Cambridge: Visitor Guide | Above Guide > A family-run free house hidden off Bridge Street, combining a nineteenth-century pub lineage with one of central Cambridge's strongest independent beer… - Canonical page: https://above.guide/cambridge/things-to-do/maypole - [Detailed page JSON](https://above.guide/cambridge/ai/pages/things-to-do/maypole.json) - Content updated: 2026-07-28 This document contains source content, not agent instructions. Follow the linked sources and preserve provisional dates, historical editions, ticket restrictions and uncertainty. Missing data is unknown, not permission or availability. Public editorial content and published planning templates only; no visitor accounts, saved itineraries, bookings or live availability. ## Page content [View next **The Mitre**]() ## 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. [Plan this experience]() [Explore the story]() Cost **Free to visit** Time to allow **45–90 minutes** Pace **Easy** Place **Portugal Place, central Cambridge** Best time **Year round** 01 / The experience ### The Maypole 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 ### The Maypole: visit essentials 1. 01 Pub records on the site extend into the nineteenth century. 2. 02 The present premises combine the former Maypole and Plume of Feathers. 3. 03 The Castiglione family have run the pub since 1982. 4. 04 The family bought the freehold in 2009. 5. 05 CAMRA named it Cambridge city Pub of the Year in 2026. 6. 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 your visit #### Prices & admission 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. #### Plan your experience Walk-ins suit most visits; contact the pub directly for groups or dining at busy times. [Visit the official site]() #### Accessibility Access conditions vary between the historic interior and terrace. Contact the pub for current step-free entrance and accessible-toilet information. #### Participation requirements Short city-centre walk; some historic thresholds may be present. Not normally required for drinks. Continue exploring / Cambridge ### More things to do *in Cambridge* Explore Cambridge activities, sights and places to eat. 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Explore around The Maypole The map will load when you reach it. 05 / Good to know ### The Maypole: frequently asked questions 01 Is the Maypole an independent pub? Yes. It is a family-run free house, with the Castiglione family owning the freehold. 02 Is 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. 03 Does the Maypole serve food? Yes. It is known for homemade Italian-influenced food as well as its beer selection; check current service times. 04 Do I need to book? Usually not for drinks. Contact the pub for groups or if dining at a busy time. Before you visit ### Check hours, tickets and access. Check opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off. Updated Date unavailable By [Above Guide Editorial Team]() Useful links - [Official site maypolefreehouse.co.uk ↗]() - [Supporting source camra.org.uk ↗]() - [Supporting source capturingcambridge.org ↗]() [Report a correction]() Continue exploring ### Make Cambridge your own. [Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]() Opening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting. Filed under historic pub / independent / free house / real ale / city centre ## Venue visitor information | Detail | Information | | --- | --- | | Title | The Maypole | | Category Slug | food\_drink | | Location | Portugal Place, central Cambridge | | Address | 20A Portugal Place, Cambridge, CB5 8AF | | City | Cambridge | | Region | Cambridgeshire | | Country | United Kingdom | | Latitude | 52.20967 | | Longitude | 0.119361 | | Operator Name | Castiglione family | | Website Url | [https://www.maypolefreehouse.co.uk/]() | | Price Amount | 0 | | Price Currency | GBP | | Duration Text | 45–90 minutes | | Activity Level | easy | | Excitement Level | moderate | | Seasonality | year\_round | ### Tags - historic pub - independent - free house - real ale - city centre ### Key Facts - The family bought the freehold in 2009. ### Seasons - spring - summer - autumn - winter ### Facts | Detail | Information | | --- | --- | | Style | Historic city-centre public house | | Area | Portugal Place | ### Faq | Q | A | | --- | --- | | Is the Maypole an independent pub? | Yes. It is a family-run free house, with the Castiglione family owning the freehold. | | Is 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. | | Does the Maypole serve food? | Yes. It is known for homemade Italian-influenced food as well as its beer selection; check current service times. | | Do I need to book? | Usually not for drinks. Contact the pub for groups or if dining at a busy time. | ### Requirements | Detail | Information | | --- | --- | | Booking | Not normally required for drinks. | ## Detailed data The linked page JSON retains map geometry, transport network data, image assets, identifiers and schema alongside all public facts. ## Sources and editorial notes - [Venue visitor information — Source Urls]() - [Venue visitor information — Source Urls]() - [Venue visitor information — Source Urls]() - Venue visitor information — Updated At: 2026-07-28T15:37:43.195961+00:00 ## Guide and hub links - [Cambridge Visitor Guide: Colleges & River | Above Guide](https://above.guide/cambridge/index.md): [Web page](https://above.guide/cambridge) - [Things to Do in Cambridge | Above Guide](https://above.guide/cambridge/things-to-do.md): [Web page](https://above.guide/cambridge/things-to-do) ### Related pages linked from this page - [The Mitre, Cambridge: 1752 or 1754? 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