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The Cross Keys has served the lawful traveller, and probably a few highwaymen, for a few hundred years. Not surprisingly, with a pub of such rich heritage, the building enjoys more than a bit of character. The Cross Keys was almost certainly an inn that offered accommodation and stabling to the passing traveller. The area behind the pub suggests that the barn and stables were quite extensive. Indeed, a list of Private and Commercial Residents of Castle Donington in 1880 reveals that the pub's licensee, Edward Lees, was also a cow keeper. Edward ran the pub until 1900 when Mark William Fletcher took over as Landlord, Mark continued in this role until 1941 when William Spalton took the helm (William was Fletchers son-in-law).

In 1947 The business was taken over by Gladys Spalton and Elsie Barker (Sisters). A picture of both sisters stood behind the pumps is on the wall at the 'Hatch end' of the bar. At some point during the seventies the pub closed for a brief period but re-opened around 1978, since re-opening the pub has been run by a further 8 Landlords and Licensees (Unfortunately it was aquired by pub killer Enterprise Inns in 1997 and the last 4 Licensees have been somewhat constricted by the companies rules).

The Cross Keys has been extended over the years so that the ground floor now incorporates the old living quarters of former publicans and the room to the right of the front door was a general purpose shop until 1911. Some of the notable features include the etched glass former smoke room windows and the Minton-tiled porch.

Cross Keys is located on the B6540 which by-passes the main centre of Castle Donington. However, this is no new road - it's been here as a main trading route for centuries and took traffic from Ashby-de-la-Zouch over the Trent and on to Nottingham. Little wonder therefore that there should be a pub called the Cross Keys. Indeed, the pub's name indicates a close relationship to the medieval church which overlooks the town.

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