The George & Pilgrim's Hotel, Glastonbury

An unusual looking pub at the end of Glastonbury’s unusual High Street, it’s quite gothic in appearance and in many ways looks more like a church building than a pub. Internally it’s clearly quite old with black wooden panelling with inset leaded windows separating the entrance hallway from the bars either side. There were plenty of beams on the ceiling and the low lighting levels created a suitably atmospheric feel, although some of the plastic lamp shades looked a little out of place. There was some stained glass windows at the front of the pub and the larger bar to the left had an old fireplace and an unusual and very tiny seating area at the rear which was little more than a recess in the wall with blue and white tiling. Getting to the bar counter was quite difficult due to a group of locals perched on stools taking up much of the space with the remainder being occupied by a large group all ordering food and paying individually on cards. A smaller bar to the right looked quite cosy, whilst a corridor with a flagstone floor led to the rear. With it’s roof windows and signs for the loos, restaurant and so on hanging off the walls either side, it looked in some ways more reminiscent of a shopping arcade than a pub. Beers on tap were Otter Ale, Twist & Shout, Doom Bar and Tribute, whilst a further two pumps appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Stowford Press, Strongbow and the local Heck’s Farmhouse. Overall this wasn’t a bad pub, and I suspect, far better than many others in the local area, but it still gave the impression that it wasn’t making much of an effort and instead perhaps relying on the tourist trade to boost it’s fortunes.

Official site of The George & Pilgrim Hotel - georgeandpilgrim.relaxinnz.co.uk

Official site of The George & Pilgrim Hotel - georgeandpilgrim.relaxinnz.co.uk

Stayed the night. A great experience. The oldest pub in the South West, purpose built for the Abbey Pilgrims. Frequented by Henry VIII. Don't get that at the Premier Inn. Beer wise - Otter and Golden Sheep were on. I had the later and it was damn fine. Fine Whisky collection. All sorts of little alcoves and nooks and crannies to explore. Best pub found in Glastonbury? Probably.