The Old Crown
England's landmark thatched pub for Nepalese feasts, garden play, and real ale.
Quick essentials
Plan your visit at a glance
Hours today
12:00 – 21:00 (Kitchen 12:00-21:00)
Call us
01223 277217
Find us
89 High Street, Girton, CB3 0QQ
Guests trust us across the web.
Google Maps and TripAdvisor reviews showcase how diners describe each pub today.
Google Maps
The Old Crown
4.5 / 5 (764 reviews)
Open Google listingSourced from Google listings to highlight how travellers describe the experience today.
TripAdvisor
The Old Crown
4.6 / 5 (408 reviews)
Read TripAdvisor reviewsSourced from TripAdvisor listings to highlight how travellers describe the experience today.
Disclaimer
Opening and closing hours can change for private hires, events, or seasonal menus. Please contact the pub ahead of time to confirm the exact service schedule.
Weekly hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 22:30
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 22:30
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 22:30
- Friday
- 12:00 – 23:00
- Saturday
- 12:00 – 23:00
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 22:30
Girton's thatched landmark now hums with momo steam, cask ale, and family gatherings that spill from the dining rooms to the lawn.
Chefs deliver an extensive Nepalese menu—Chicken Rum Rum (GF), Samosa Chaat, Momo (Veg)—alongside Regular Mixed Grills, Veg/Vegan Burger & Chips, and Gulab Jamun locals grew up with.
Multiple rooms suit every visit: shuffleboard and sports up front, quieter fireplaces and dining rooms for celebrations, and a huge deck for sunny days.
Long-time staff keep service warm and swift, resolving any hiccup on busy Sundays and remembering regulars by order.
1930s
Current thatched building opens, replacing the earlier Girton inn.
2020
Wins Cambridge CAMRA's ‘Most Improved City Pub' award for its revitalisation work.
Aug 2024
Lapen Inns relaunches with Nepalese cuisine, refurbished gardens, and renewed play areas.
Deep dive on The Old Crown.
Location & Atmosphere
Girton’s 1930s thatched landmark – often cited as England’s largest thatched pub – mixes parquet floors, fireplaces, and light-filled dining rooms with sprawling decks and lawns that fill on sunny days. It still feels like a proper village hub with ample seating indoors and out for families.
Food & Drink
Since the August 2024 takeover, the kitchen pairs Nepalese signatures (momo, Chicken Rum Rum, samosa chaat) with British comfort food and sticky toffee pudding. Real ale drinkers find rotating casks like Elgood’s Cambridge Bitter alongside lagers and a well-priced wine list.
Key Features
- Iconic thatched roof and Art Deco-inspired interiors
- Expansive beer garden with decking for summer lounging
- Wheelchair access plus high chairs for little diners
- Shuffleboard, board games, and relaxed family vibe
- Local events from beer festivals to village gatherings
What Reviewers Say
Diners call the menu a ‘mouthwatering masterpiece’, applauding attentive service that fixes issues quickly and prices that feel generous for the portion sizes.
Source: Guest review summaries cited in the Detailed Profiles dossier.
Scenes from the dining room.
Every service begins before dawn with deliveries from our growers and ends with guests lingering over a nightcap.
View full gallery
Signature plates this season.
Kathmandu Tikka (Served in Grill) (GF)
GF • dry
Rack of Lamb (GF)
GF • dry
Paneer Saslick (GF)
veg • GF • dry
Salmon Tikka (GF)
GF • dry
Tandoori King Prawn (GF)
GF • dry
Himali Lamb (GF)
Special Veggie Tarkari (V)(GF)
veg • GF
Veggie Biryani
Chicken Biryani
Dietary accommodations
- Vegetarian and vegan curries, dal, and momos prepared on separate utensils.
- Gluten-aware options for naan, batters, and Regular Mixed Grills with advance notice.
- Kids' menu with Nuggets, Popcorn Chicken, and CTM/Korma options plus highchairs and play area access.
Seasonal specials
- Beer garden BBQs and lawn games throughout summer weekends.
- Beer festivals and guest ale takeovers hosted with CAMRA.
- Festive decorations with roaring log fires and Christmas set menus.
We make arrival effortless.
Address
89 High Street
Girton
CB3 0QQ
Parking
Large gravel car park plus village street parking for overflow.
Public transit
Local buses from Cambridge stop on High Street; cycling paths connect Girton to the city in 10 minutes.
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Ramp access from the car park into the main bar and dining rooms.
Accessible parking
Dedicated bays beside the entrance plus level routes to the terrace.
Family facilities
Highchairs, spacious restrooms, and a fenced play area for children.
Stay in touch
Call 01223 277217
Email oldcrown@lapeninns.com
Know before you go.
Service & Dining
Service options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Menu Offerings
Highlights
- Live sports
- Authentic Nepalese cuisine
- Well-stocked bar
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Wine
Amenities & Atmosphere
Amenities
- Outdoor seating
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd & Planning
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Good for groups
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- American Express
- Visa
- Digital payments
Family & Pets
Children
- Highchairs available
- Playground
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free off-street parking
- Street parking
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Heard through the grapevine.
“A mouthwatering delight to the taste buds—Chicken Rum Rum was outstanding.”
“Super friendly staff and management all combined to make it memorable.”
Press highlights
- CAMRA WhatPub
England's largest thatched pub with live sports, quality ales, and a refreshed Nepalese-led kitchen.
Follow along
Watch behind-the-scenes prep, cellar reveals, and playlist drops on Instagram stories each service.
Gatherings tailored to your occasion.
From intimate chef’s table residencies to garden receptions, our events team choreographs every detail.
Village Quiz & Curry Night
Weekly quiz with sharing platters that regularly sells out with locals.
- Quiz host
- Sharing curry board
- Prize tab
Garden Private Hire
Book the decking and lawn for birthdays with kids' play access and buffet menus.
- Buffet menu
- Play area access
- Dedicated host
Make a day of it around Girton.
Plan a Girton afternoon with walks, heritage sites, and Cambridge's museums before supper under the thatch.
The Cambridge American Cemetery
Reflective memorial and landscaped grounds a short drive away.
The River Cam Towpath
Cycle or stroll toward Cambridge's colleges and punts from nearby paths.
Grand Arcade
Cambridge city-centre shopping and cafés 10 minutes by car.
Secure your table.
Reserve via our booking partners or share special requests and our concierge team will tailor the evening.
Book instantly
Prefer to talk?
Call 01223 277217 or email oldcrown@lapeninns.com.
Concierge reservations
Online forms are paused. Email info@lapeninns.com with your preferred date, party size, and any celebrations. Our team will curate the evening and confirm details by reply.
- Share dietary needs, access notes, or entertainment requests.
- Let us know which pub you plan to visit.
- Include the best phone number for quick clarifications.
We reply within one business day.
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