Did you know that...
Walworth Elephant And Castle SE17 takes its name after a coaching inn. The first mention of the area under this name comes from a 1765 document. The area had a blacksmith and cutler. The coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers has an elephant and a castle.
In the medieval ages, the area was known as Newington and was part of the manor of Walworth that belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1557, the Southwark Martyrs were burned at the stake in St George’s Fields. St Mary’s Church was first mentioned in 1222 but it is believed that it was established earlier.
The land which would eventually become known under this peculiar name was occupied by a village known as Newington. However, this name is still strongly associated with the area. The very first references to the new name, dated 1601, can be found in Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night where Antonio informs Sebastian that the Elephant is a good place to lodge for the night.
Scientist Michael Faraday was born nearby. The Michael Faraday Memorial is a grade II stainless-steel box built in 1961. The memorial sits in the middle of Elephant Square. The 1996 lighting scheme was designed by a schoolgirl. Actors Charlie Chaplin and Michael Caine also hail from this area.
Elephant & Castle is an intersection of several major routes and one of the city’s most important transport hubs. It is also a centre of student life as it hosts two universities, London College of Communication and London South Bank University.
Elephant & Castle has the largest Latin American community in London. So if you are eager to enjoy authentic Latin music and food, you’d definitely go there.
The locals like to simply call the area ‘Elephant’. And yes, you can come across an elephant and castle statue – one of the most peculiar landmarks of South London.