• What's Happening in London
• Places to Visit
• Eating and Drinking
  • Restaurants and Bars
  • Pubs
  • Cafes
  • Wine Bars
• London Street Markets, High Streets & Auctions
• The River Thames

Pubs - Southwark

One of London's most prestigious pubs, The George Inn has been an institution ever since the 16th century. It is London's only galleried pub and is broken up into a restaurant and pub section.

Frequented by City business types, The George Inn is packed out at lunch and in the evening. It is very often almost impossible to find a table unless you go in the afternoon. Owned by the National Trust, The George is spread out over a cobbled courtyard down a side alley next to Waterloo Station. Like many City pubs, there is a great deal of old oak and wood panelling which lends a sober, yet appealing tone to the pub. Traditional British meals and a lack of anything remotely modern is what makes The George such an enduring, classy institution.

There is a wide selection of beers and I enjoyed the ever faithful London Pride, although there are some originals such as Flower's Original, Old Speckled Hen, Caledonian Old and The George's own in-house beer. The usual commercial beers are also present and correct.

If you are keen to soak up London's tradition, then I would go to any pub around the City and London Bridge area. The pubs are eternal and look as though they will be around until the world eventually blows itself up. The George Inn is as fine a pub/restaurant as you are likely to find.

<< Back to 'Pubs'