Runaway cat travels over 30 miles to pub - twice!

2 September 2025

Eleanor MaslinBBC News

News image — Peanut, from Lincoln, has gone in search of the purr-fect pint after finding his way to a pub in Nottingham twice

Castle Rock Brewery A tortoiseshell and white cat is sat on a navy patterned bench at a pub. In front of him is half a pint of beer in a pint glass on a wooden table. — Peanut, from Lincoln, has gone in search of the purr-fect pint after finding his way to a pub in Nottingham twice

A curious cat has become a regular at a pub more than 30 miles away after making the journey twice in just over a month.

Peanut, a rescued one-year-old who lives in North Hykeham, Lincoln, caused a catastrophe for his owners when he went missing and ended up at Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham in July and again in August.

Either a keen hiker or a train enthusiast who knows where to get on and off, mystery surrounds how Peanut has managed to get himself there both times.

"I can't say I blame him", owner Charley Rawlings said. "If I was to run away from home, a pub wouldn't be a bad place to start."

Submitted A woman and man are holding up a blue carrier with bars on the front. Inside is a white and tortoiseshell cat. The woman has ginger hair tied up with navy tracksuit bottoms and a red top. The man has a beige cap, black top and khaki shorts on. They are both smiling and behind them is a brick wall and a marquee with a few benches and people standing up. — Peanut had to be picked up from the brewery on two separate occasions by his owners

Ms Rawlings, who rescued microchipped Peanut in November, said he first went missing for three weeks from 3 July.

Speaking on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, she said: "He'd never gone missing before, he never strays anywhere from home, so we couldn't believe where he'd gone.

"We got a phone call from a vet and when they said where he was we couldn't believe it, we assumed he'd been hit by a car."

Ms Rawlings said she assumed he had "jumped in someone's van or car" and that "weirder stuff has happened".

After he went missing for a second time on 27 August, she realised determined Peanut had found his way back again.

"He didn't show up at the brewery until the Friday, so I'm starting to believe maybe he is walking.

"He's definitely a very mischievous boy and knows exactly what he's doing," Ms Rawlings added.

Charley Rawlings A tortoiseshell and white cat laying on a door mat and looking up at the camera. He has a curious look on his face and is resting one of his white front paws on the door frame. — Peanut was nicknamed Screech by the brewery after one of their beers

Jessica Collins, manager of the brewery, said: "We'll have to sign him up to the loyalty scheme at this rate.

"He's a lovely little cat, very small, very loud and we've given him the nickname Screech, after one of our beers because you always hear him before you see him."

Ms Collins said when they close up the brewery Peanut scurries to the Vat and Fiddle pub, which is on the same site.

Her theory when he turned up the second time was that he "maybe walked along the train tracks" as he was "quite sooty" when she stroked him on Friday.

Street-smart Peanut turned up at the brewery within a week of going missing the first time, but managed to get there within three days on his second endeavour.

Ms Collins said he "seems to have the journey nailed now".

"He's always welcome but we worry about him," she added.

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