This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also a One Star pub on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory with an interior of special national historic interest, and the description is as follows: "A Grade II Victorian purpose-built pub with a grand exterior and some vestigial remains in the interior.

Although much altered and opened out, this still retains a number of features of interest. Built in 1864, this has a flamboyant frontage – pedimented windows and polished-granite pilasters - which is probably an 1890s enhancement. Two large curving widows add further interest. The three entrances (only one is currently in use) give clues to how the pub was originally divided. Inside, the central bar counter still occupies much of its original position although it has been reduced in size and pushed back further from the front of the pub. This required that the attractive glass and woodwork in the bar-back had to be shortened – as evidenced by a circa 1930s photograph on display above a fireplace. These changes – done in the 1960s or earlier - have left an isolated supporting pillar and an original dumb-waiter stranded on a side wall. At the rear of the counter is an area which surely was once a publican’s office, but has now been opened out to allow access to a door which leads to the cellar toilets. Some of the glasswork here – with starburst designs - may be Victorian. The woodwork in a large skylight may also be Victorian. From 1970 the rear room served as a theatre but it moved out in 2023."

The listing description is as follows: "Public house. 1864 and possibly later. Yellow brick set in Flemish bond, polished grey and pink granite, stucco, roof obscured by parapet. Three storeys, three-window range. The ground floor frontage, which may date from the 1890s, is divided into five bays by Ionic columns of polished grey and pink granite carrying antae of polished pink granite with incised decoration. Three entrances with curved bay windows between. The wooden front is panelled at dado level with double panelled doors to outer entrances and arcaded overlights over the entrances. Modillion cornice over fascia with iron cresting above. First-floor windows flat-arched with segmental pediments, the middle window tripartite; second-floor windows similar but with triangular pediments; chamfered quoins to upper storeys. Parapet with balustrade. The interior has deal boarding to the dado, two marble fireplaces, a late-19th century island bar-back with engraved and faceted glass, and a bar counter probably of the same period; the last two items have probably been reset and possibly altered."

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/King's Head

The Pub Heritage Group link is here: PHG/King's Head

The Kings Head featured on the Evening Crawl of Islington on 6 December 2006.