The George Inn, Bath

The George was my final pub of a day in Somerset and it is a very difficult pub to review. It is one of those that is reputed to be the oldest pub in Britain and the buildings are certainly impressive. In fact, they are Grade I listed. A cobbled courtyard leads from the street past the toilets and a number of rooms including The Dungeon and the Board Room. The bar used to be on the left as you walk down, but this room is now in use as a dining room. It has a large stone fireplace and some paintings. The bar has now been moved to the very rear. It is an impressive space similar to a dining hall in a manor house with high beamed ceilings and walls lined with paintings, tapestries and a stuffed deer's head. To the rear is an outdoor patio with fabulous views over the countryside. Most customers had chosen to sit outside. I grabbed a table in the bar area, where I assume most tables are normally taken by diners. There were a small army of staff who (as the previous reviewer states) seem eager to jump out at people and were being over-helpful. I overheard a few of them saying that it was quieter than normal. Customers are from the upper echelons of society, some appearing a bit snooty. The really annoying art of forming an orderly queue at the bar was very much in practice here and it didn't seem to go down well when I moved alongside the one ponce getting served. He expected me to continue queuing behind me. On the bar, Butcombe Original was accompanied by Butcombe Gold & Tropical. The Tropical appears to be a new seasonal beer from Butcombe and I really enjoyed it. Butcombe Tall Trees Pale Ale was on keg. Ciders were Thatcher's Gold & Ambr. As pub architecture and history go, this pub definitely merits a visit. Its recent refurbishment and re-opening comes to the detriment of the other village pub across the road (the Fleur de Lys). Of the two, it is the Fleur de Lys that attracts the locals, with tourists and rich people making a beeline for the George. I think that as long as you know that you will be surrounded by rich people and serving staff who could easily be servants to the local manor house, you can go and enjoy the fine architecture. For me, it was my favourite pub of the day. It's also not very often I can say that I have enjoyed a Butcombe beer.

Been following a guy on Twitter who has written a book about mythbusting architecture. There's been a whole chapter on pubs and he set out to prove which is the oldest in Britain. As in the oldest pub, continually serving beer, rather than having been repurposed. This was his winner. Too wet for walking around Bradford on Avon, I noticed the village was close by, so we headed there as tourists. We were going to eat there - until Mrs M decided it wasnt for the likes of us. Rather too posh. We went in for a drink. Its a warren of little rooms and everytime you move, the maitre D asks if she can help you. We sat at the two chairs at the bar - the only place where you could possibly think you were in a pub. The rest full of rich people dining. I did have a mooch around, and found interesting rooms deserted. One cask - Butcombe Original - and in very good condition. It is a tied Butcombe house. So, Britain's oldest pub. Ian Mapp's least pubby experience.

Has changed since my last visit (2022). Now appears to be concentrating on being a Hotel, run by Butcombe Brewery. The two rooms at the front now seem to be open only for people dining in the restaurant, and the bar that was in one of them has been removed. THis leaves the small bar at the back as the only 'pub' part of the pub left, although the large beer garden with impressive views towards Falkland remains. They had three hand pulls, but only two cask ales on when I visited, both of which were Butcombe Beers (Rare Breed and Original). Quite pricy, although can't remember the exact price. It's a shame the beautiful old building is now main;y used as a hotel, but at least it hasn't closed entirely. The old Fleur-de-lys pub across the road from the pub is now effectively closed and used by Butcombe to provide extra rooms for the George Hotel.

A prominent pub on the main road through this small village, it’s nationally known and according to some signs in the entranceway has served beer for longer than any other pub in England, since 1397. In that time it has served as the HQ for the Duke of Monmouth, and Judge Jeffries held court here with twelve people hanged outside. Internally it’s somewhat smaller than might be expected, with just two bars towards the rear, although there does appear to be a separate restaurant and perhaps function rooms which we did not investigate. There is also a pleasant patio and terraced beer garden at the rear, with lovely views over the countryside. The main bar has whitewashed stone walls and exposed timbers in the impressive vaulted ceiling, although the blue/grey paintwork in between the beams seemed an odd colour choice which presumably wouldn’t have been original. Sanded wooden boards were on the floor and several old pictures were on the walls, many showing paintings from the inn’s past and medieval jousting tournaments. A second room behind this was broadly similar in terms of décor, although the timberwork inlaid in to the walls and the large stone fireplace made it slightly more impressive. Beers on tap were both from Butcombe with their Rare Breed and Original, whilst a third option was apparently coming soon. The solitary cider meanwhile was Thatcher’s Ambr. Overall, well worth popping in for the history, although admittedly the drinks range is nothing to get too excited about.