The George Inn, 77 Borough High Street

The George Inn, 77 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH

One of the finest examples of a traditional coaching inn left in London, its beautiful galleried architecture has attracted the attention of the National Trust who now own the building. The plaque in the courtyard mentions that the original inn on this site was frequented by none other than a certain William Shakespeare, a claim to fame which makes the place very popular with tourists. The original inn burned down in the great Southwark fire and was subsequently rebuilt in 1677. Inside, the myriad of interconnected wood-panelled rooms are evocative of the days when men wore silly wigs and the women wore frilly skirts. Some rooms are available for private hire thus enabling inebriated office workers to relive those days. On barmy summer evenings the fun spills out into the courtyard. On our visit, the place was buzzing with a bizarre mixture of lunching businessmen and aussie tourists looking for a kind of culture not normally found in their native country. The beer is excellent; a good choice of ales and lagers can be found at the bar. A bit of a find.

Reviewed by Paul Melton, Mar 2004

Telephone: 020 7407 2056

Nearby pubs: The Market Porter, 9 Stoney Street, Borough Market (110 metres), The Old King's Head, Kings Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High St (70 metres), St Christopher's Inn, 121 Borough High Street (80 metres), The Wheatsheaf, 6 Stoney Street (110 metres), The Globe, 8 Bedale St, Borough Market (130 metres), The Southwark Tavern, 22 Southwark St, London Bridge (150 metres), The Blue Eyed Maid, 173 Borough High St (200 metres)

Nearest station: London Bridge, Zone 1 (320 metres)