The George Hotel, Banbury

My final pub of the night in Warwickshire and I thought it was strange that the front door was shut when I arrived. It was 8:30pm and as it opened, I did also notice a sign on the window stating that it closed at 9pm on a Wednesday. Not to worry, I was soon served and it started getting busier still not long after I'd sat down with my drink. The bar is to the right-hand side as you enter. It has a large fireplace and slate floors. Off to the left is a games room with 2 pool tables, a TV and a fruit machine. There is a small dining room to the rear at the end of a drinking corridor and there is what appeared to be a large garden out the back. There are 6 handpulls on the bar but just 2 were clipped with a couple of Hook Norton beers - Hooky & Off The Hook. Ciders were Weston's Vintage & Aspall's. This seems to be quite a popular pub with the local community, both young and old. With 6 guest rooms, it also seems popular with visitors. It appeared one couple were staying so that they could visit Jeremy Clarkson's pub, which isn't too far away. They appeared to be fans of his, unlike the locals, which seemed to spark quite a lively discussion! Live music takes place here on a Saturday. On a Wednesday, some background music was being played but it was much quieter with the sound of conversation dominating. A wifi password is provided. I found this to be a nice and lively village local. With 6 handpulls, they have scope to do much more on the beer front. Nevertheless, with the Gate Inn in Upper Brailes having closed fairly recently under some fairly controversial circumstances, I'm sure this is an amenity that local villagers are desperate to keep.

Very typical coaching inn deep in the Cotswolds, thankfully largely unspoilt. Usual beams and open fires inside, a large, rather scruffy, covered terrace and garden out the back. Majors on food, of course, but unlike too many pubs round here plenty of space for drinkers. And unlike too many pubs round here it's open all day, even on a Monday. It's a Hook Norton tied house, but sadly the Hooky we had was a poor reflection of that brewery's excellent products: I fear we had the first pints out all day. Points deducted.

The George is a decent looking stone built pub that has got quite a long frontage. The main bar was to the right this room had a stone floor, beamed ceiling and wooden bench seats and normal tables and chairs there was a seperate dining room to the rear left,for warmer weather there was a large garden to the rear of the pub which had swings and the like for children to play on. This pub is a Hook Norton tied house and there were three real ales on the bar i had a drink of Hookey bitter and this was a nice drink the other beers were Hookey mild and Hookey Gold. The bar was fairly busy for a late afternoon and there was a decent enough atmosphere in here. Pub visited 19/5/2012

Official site of the George, contains menu and live music listing - www.thegeorgeatbrailes.co.uk

Official site of the George, contains menu and live music listing - www.thegeorgeatbrailes.co.uk