Contrary to stories that the Castle Inn was built to serve miners building the Bradway Tunnel, the pub has earlier origins.
The cottages at Castle Row were originally built for managers and foremen at the adjoining quarry and brick works. It appears that brewing was commenced in one of the cottages and a beerhouse opened to provide refreshment for the thirsty workers. The Beerhouse Act of 1830 allowed any householder to brew and sell beer for the simple purchase of a £2 licence.
The Bradway Tunnel was a huge bonus. Not only did this bring an influx of more than 1000 men, but also a demand for millions of bricks. Work on the tunnel commenced in 1865, and by 1866 the Brampton Brewery was advertising a lease for the Castle Inn, which had become far more than a simple beerhouse.
There were originally 6 cottages in the terrace, the Castle occupying the right hand end. The entrance was to the rear as the buildings had been constructed to access the quarry and not the street. By the turn of the century the pub had expanded onto spare land at the end of the terrace. This allowed the inn to turn through 180 degrees and provided access to Castle Row as it is today. In 1979 the Castle expanded in the opposite direction, occupying the next cottage in the row. A couple of years ago a restaurant was built to the rear.
For many years the Castle sold Tennants and Whitbread beers. Now it has an extensive range of real ales on offer.