George at Upton, Upton

Extensively refurbished by new owners in 2024, the pub has been transformed into a smart upmarket roadside pub/café/restaurant, that also emphasises its real ale offering.

The new owners renamed the pub from the George & Dragon to the George at Upton, and after major internal renovations fully re-opened the pub inside in September 2024. The style is modern, light and contemporary, but still retaining a traditional feel. There is still a central bar area that caters for drinkers, and to the right a separate room that serves as a breakfast/brunch/café room. To the left a separate new 65 cover restaurant opened in early 2025. This serves a high quality modern British menu, but which also includes very good takes on pub classics.

The regular real ales include a locally-brewed house beer "George Best", from Loddon; Abingdon Bridge, from nearby Loose Cannon; as well as Timothy Taylor Landlord. Tap takeovers are frequently organised and a beer festival is being planned for 2026.

As well as being open from 10am to serve breakfast and brunch, there are three other principal food offerings that cater for all pockets. This includes a modern British upmarket dining experience in the newly opened restaurant; a separate bar food/café style menu is available in the main bar area, and in the warmer months, a relaxed dining experience from the extended horsebox bar outside in the courtyard garden comprising pizzas, burgers, a BBQ grill, roasts, etc.

The huge enclosed outdoor area has a capacity for around 200 guests and has large areas of grassed garden and a largely covered courtyard area, as well as an extensive tented area. There is a stage with a full PA system which hosts various live music events throughout the year. There is also a children's play area, table tennis tables and chickens!

The pub remains popular with cyclists and walkers and is a good stop for those walking the Ridgeway Path. It is also a sister pub to the Crown at Chilton.

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