Be sure to try one of London’s only surviving galleried coaching inns.

The Venue
The history of the George Inn is a long and varied one. Rumoured to have been a haunt of William Shakespeare, the original building was devastated by a fire that swept through Southwark. Rising from the ashes it was rebuilt and, in the Nineteenth Century, it’s said that it became a favourite of another of this country’s literary masters - Charles Dickens - who gave mention to it in the novel Little Dorrit.

Fortunately, now under the preserve of the National Trust, the south face of this historical wonder remains intact and flourishes alongside the railways, providing refreshment to the commuters streaming in and out of London Bridge station, which is just around the corner. In a cobbled courtyard, sheltered from the bleakness of Borough High Street with hanging baskets in full bloom, quaint lattice windows, and oak-pillared galleries, the George Inn is a pretty picture of old-world charm. Inside too, it remains relatively unscathed by the modern age, the type of place which makes you want to put “Ye” in front of every noun you utter, which is fine if it’s your first time there but – excuse the xenophobia – incredibly grating if you’re a local surrounded by a coachload of American tourists!

The Atmosphere
Given its tourist potential, thankfully the George Inn has avoided becoming a tacky theme pub, although its integrity has been slightly compromised by becoming part of the Greene King franchise. Thursday and Friday nights sees a huge influx of office workers – especially media workers – flooding in for a post-work drink. The rest of the time, it’s mostly the domain of the tourists, interested in its historical value. The mix is a merry one.

The Food
The George Inn maintains its tradition of being a hearty stop-off for travellers seeking sustenance, with a simple but satisfactory bar menu. The biggest problem is finding room to sit inside when it’s too cold to enjoy the courtyard. This being the case, the restaurant (once part of the bedchambers) tends to be less busy. Serving more sophisticated fare but with ingredients generally sticking to the quintessentially English theme, the smoked haddock, lamb shank and Barbary duck all cost in the region of £10-£15.

The Drink
It’s a Greene King pub so you know what to expect – IPA, Abbot and guest ales, plus a sufficient array of draught and bottled lagers, wine and spirits at affordable prices. While some may rally against the uniformity of chain pubs, particularly when they infringe on the uniqueness of somewhere like the George Inn, at least the traditional ethos of Greene King is a decent fit. Interlocking rooms also mean that if there’s a wait to be served at one bar you can always venture off in search of a quieter one.

The Last Word
An Olde England treasure for tourists and locals alike, it may not be a venue you’d want to frequent regularly but it’s well worth a look for anyone with even a passing interest in English history or restoration architecture.

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