The George Inn dates back over 350 years and was the last coaching inn on the route to London. The pub attracts a wide age range, although more of a younger crowd attend at weekends. The range of beers has increased in recent years, with 5 or 6 on offer most days. A reasonable choice of food is available and is of the pub grub style - burgers, pies, steak, fish and chips etc. Piped music plays on a 2 hour loop, but is generally not too intrusive. A TV shows BBC News channel (muted, with subtitles) and occasionally football/rugby, if on terrestrial TV.
The pub sign portrays St George defeating the dragon. The weatherboarded exterior has changed little over time and the building is the oldest in the High Street. Since the 1970s, this has also been called "Ye Olde George Inn" and "Ye George Inn".
Historic Interest
Dating back to the mid 17th C, this former coaching inn was used for the London to Dover stagecoach (rivalling the nearby former "Three Tuns" coaching inn). A further stagecoach service was established in the early 18th C direct to London. Petty sessions were once held here during the 19th C (Charles Darwin was a visiting magistrate). In the 1860s, this was the first building in Beckenham to be lit by gas. This inn was later tied to the Nalder & Collyer brewery in Croydon before being owned by Ind Coope. Grade II listed in 1973 by Historic England, which states: "C18. 2 storeys and attic. Ground floor stuccoed. Above faced with weather- boarding. Tiled roof. Moulded eaves cornice with brackets. 5 windows. 3 dormers. Narrow sash windows with glazing bars intact on 1st floor only. Wide porch with narrow square pillars."
This Pub serves 1 changing beer (.) and 3 regular beers.
George Inn, Beckenham