The George Inn, Bath

As described comprehensively by John, below, this pub may or may not be the oldest, but it certainly has an historic feel. It’s worth mentioning that there is a reasonable car park at the side and a very nice garden with great views. It is currently owned by Butcombe Brewery. It’s warm and comfortable, the staff are pleasant and it has avoided being theme-parked for the tourists’ benefit. Ales on were all from Butcombe, a shame that there was no guest ale but what was there was good. Rare Breed and Original were on and in excellent condition. Also available were Goram IPA, Underberg Lager, Peroni, San Miguel, Thatcher’s and Guinness. Food was restaurant style rather than pub grub and was predictably expensive. Worth popping in for a drink, maybe combining with beer and food in the Fleur de Lys, opposite.

Official site of The George Inn - www.georgeinnnsp.co.uk

Official site of The George Inn - www.georgeinnnsp.co.uk

A few miles away from Frome, in the village of Norton St Philip, is The George Inn, one of a number of inns which, with varying degrees of justification, lay claim to being the oldest inn in Britain. It’s a large prominent building in the centre of the village and consists of a stone built single storey building on top of which sit 2 timber framed Tudor style upper floors. It’s a Grade 1 listed building originally built in the 14th century, although much of what we see now is apparently 17th century. It claims to have been an inn for over 600 years now. An extensive careful restoration was carried out by Wadworths in 1998 and it now doubles up as a hotel. The building has been used for TV adaptations of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Daniel Defoe’s Moll Flanders. As we enter from the street through the large stone archway into the cobbled courtyard, the main, larger part of the building is to the left and features several medieval style rooms on the left of a central passageway. The bar counter is in a room called The Charter Room which features wood panelling, a timber framed partition which extends into the rafters and old medieval style tables and chairs. Further down is The Norton Room, also in medieval style, which features several untitled paintings, mullioned leaded windows and a huge stone fireplace. Above the fireplace, a brass plate tells us that the inn served as The Duke of Normandy’s HQ in June 1685 during two of the last armed battles on English soil. We also learn that the clash that took place a muskets shot way is believed to be the last occasion that a rebel force routed Government troops. Judge Jefferies used the inn as a court house subsequent to the rebellion. Past The Norton Room is the exit to the pub car park and an outside seating area at the back which affords fine views of the village’s 14th century church and the cricket pitch down the hill. On the other side of the courtyard is The Dungeon Bar, a low ceilinged room where occasional poetry readings and functions are held. Near the entrance to The Dungeon Bar a staircase in the courtyard leads up to several rooms – named Abbots, Carthusians and Coombes, which are part of the guest accommodation. This particular part of the building is galleried, overlooking the courtyard and is very reminiscent of the New Inn in Gloucester. Bar service is from The Charter Bar and 4 pumps were serving Wadworths 6X, Bishops Tipple, Henry’s IPA and Horizon. Both the 6X and the Horizon – at predictably pricey £ 3.45p and £ 3.35p respectively, were in good form. The pub appears to be very much an attraction for tourists and visitors to the area and there’s no real pub atmosphere at all. Having said that, it’s a fine medieval building with much character and atmosphere in the various different rooms. You should make a point of calling in if you get the opportunity