The George, Staines Upon Thames

A pub of several areas although you can freely walk through without needing to venture outside. Most of the place seemed geared up for dining with the large back room and another side area all having tables formally set. All the drinkers were in the front bar where a convivial crowd were gathered, many of whom seemed to know each other. A couple of blokes were deeply engaged in a game of chess. The bar area is boarded, there is a real fire, low beamed ceiling. Inscribed above the bar is the statement "circa 1400" presumably claiming the building dates from then, I'd be sceptical myself. The large room to the rear has a mural of the eponymous King and of interest in here was a vintage cash register on a shelf. There is a separate outbuilding available as a function room and a secluded garden with olive trees as well as a plainer bit to the side off the car park. Three handpumps, Pride, Hobgoblin and Windsor & Eton Canberra. I didn't catch sight of any menus but it was around 4pm when I visited. Not a bad spot for a pint after a pleasant walk in the area.

A multi-roomed place with a bit of character despite obvious modernization in places. The front couple of areas are for drinking and have quite a nice cosy feel with window-style dividers. There’s a rear room is mainly set for dining and there’s the hireable ‘boxers room’ beyond. Furniture is chunky and rustic. The rear room has low ceilings and a large wall frieze of King George himself. There’s also a tidy patio garden. The evening vibe was mood lighting, candles on tables, that sort of thing. Interesting clientele division, louder and more robust types in the bar with the middle class quitter types at the rear. Three ales on; W&E Zinzans (pretty good nick), GK IPA and Pride. Desmond was also very pleased with the quality of his lemonade. Not bad.

Official site of the George Inn - www.thegeorgeinn.net

This could have been so much better, a prime position, lots of seating, a pool table and a large car-park not far from the M25. Superb meeting place. However, desite the website stating it opened at 12 "every day", the sole chap we found said "we don't open until 1" .. on a Wednesday?? ... We were the only customers, he the only person on site and the food was burgers, fish, chips .. it was OK. But it could have been so much better!! We went to The Perseverance for an hour and came back, seeing we were there at 12!!

Official site of the George Inn - www.thegeorgeinn.net